Contact angle measuring and drop contour analysis system

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Delivery time: 1 ~ 2 weeks

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Contact angle measurement and drop contour analysis is a fundamental technique used to characterize the wettability, surface energy, and interfacial interactions of solid surfaces. By analyzing the shape of a liquid droplet placed on a surface, researchers can infer how hydrophilic or hydrophobic the material is, and gain insights into adhesion, coating performance, and surface treatment effects.

Introduction

Principle

Contact angle and drop contour analysis are based on the optical observation of liquid droplet behavior on solid surfaces.

Sessile Drop Method: A droplet (usually water or test liquid) is deposited on the surface using a micro-syringe.
Image Capture: A high-resolution side-view camera captures the profile of the droplet in real-time.
Contour Fitting: The droplet shape is fitted with mathematical models (e.g., Young-Laplace or circle fitting) to calculate the contact angle at the solid-liquid-air interface.
Contact Angle Types:
- Static Contact Angle: The angle at equilibrium
- Advancing/Receding Angle: Measured by increasing or decreasing drop volume
- Dynamic Analysis: Evaluates hysteresis and surface mobility
Surface Free Energy: Can be calculated by measuring contact angles with multiple probe liquids (e.g., water, diiodomethane, ethylene glycol) and applying models like Owens-Wendt or Fowkes theory.

Test Procedure

Our standard contact angle and drop shape analysis includes:

Sample preparation: Ensure the surface is flat, clean, and dry. Handle with gloves or tweezers to avoid contamination.
Drop deposition: Dispense 1–3 μL of test liquid (e.g., deionized water) on the surface via automated or manual syringe.
Image acquisition: Use high-speed camera to capture drop shape within milliseconds.
Contour analysis: Fit left and right profiles, measure static or dynamic angles, and compute relevant values.
Reporting: Provide annotated images, angle distributions, and optional surface energy calculations.

It depends on application. more than 90° indicates hydrophobicity; less than 90° suggests hydrophilicity. Superhydrophobic surfaces typically show angles >150°.

Standard systems can measure droplets as small as 0.5–1.0 μL.

Yes, with special sample holders and image analysis corrections, though accuracy may be affected.

Yes, upon request. We use multi-liquid methods (Owens-Wendt, Fowkes, or Wu) to calculate polar and dispersive components of surface energy.

Yes. We offer environmental control chambers for climate-sensitive materials.

Applicable industries

This analysis technique applies to a broad range of materials and application scenarios:

Sample types: metals, polymers, ceramics, glass, treated surfaces, thin films, textiles, paper
Common applications:
- Hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity assessment
- Surface free energy (SFE) calculation
- Evaluation of surface treatment (e.g. plasma, silanization, etching)
- Quality control of coatings, adhesives, and laminates
- Inkjet printing and microfluidic surface design
Industries served: semiconductors, coatings, printing, packaging, biomedical, aerospace, textiles, research labs

Material testing

Regulatory testing

Environmental testing

Data analysis

Material testing

Regulatory testing

Environmental testing

Data analysis

Sample Requirements

Application Case

Example Result

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Contact angle measuring and drop contour analysis system

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