DSA30E

Drop Shape Analyzer

Versatile automated wetting and adhesion analysis of solids and liquids

The Expert version of the DSA30 Drop Shape Analyzer enables solids and liquids in wetting and coating processes to be analyzed comprehensively. The high degree of automation with easily programmable features provides for user-independent contact angle and surface tension results, which is ideal for the use in quality control. However, the DSA30E is also frequently used in R&D due to its versatility in controlling thermal conditions and its scientific tools for analyzing the solid/liquid contact.

Applications

Quality assurance of activation processes such as plasma treatment, flame treatment, or corona treatment
Analyzing wettability of plastics, glass, ceramics, wood, paper, or metal
Analyzing the effectiveness of hydrophobic coatings and other coatings
Analyzing coating liquids and adhesives and assessing their adhesion
Assessing long-term stability of coatings
Analyzing (super-) hydrophobic and self-cleaning surfaces
Analyzing homogeneity of cleanliness and wettability and measuring differences between coated/uncoated or treated/untreated areas
Wetting analysis at controlled temperature and/or humidity

Measuring methods

Contact angle of a drop on a solid surface
Contact angles of two drops dosed in parallel
Automated position-dependent contact angle measurement and evaluation
Contact angle using a gas bubble beneath a solid surface in a liquid
Roll-off behavior and advancing/receding contact angle of a drop on a tilted surface
Surface free energy of a solid using contact angle data
Calculating adhesion-related scientific parameters for the interfacial contact
Surface or interfacial tension using the curvature of a drop or bubble at the tip of a needle
Surface tension using the curvature of a perfectly symmetrical drop on a circular sample pedestal
Calculating the polar and disperse part of the surface tension from contact angle and surface tension data
Contact angle at an immersed, cylindrical sample, usually a fiber
Carrying out a measurement up to 20 consecutive times and displaying the results together
Remote control of ADVANCE for integration in custom-designed, complex automations
Measuring the recently receded contact angle to characterize dewetting behavior

Measuring results

Static contact angle
Advancing and receding contact angle
Contact angle using a bubble in a liquid
Roll-off angle
Surface free energy (SFE) according to the following models: Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble (OWRK), Fowkes, Extended Fowkes, Van Oss & Good (Acid-Base), Schultz, Wu, Zisman, Equation of State
Position-dependent contact angle and SFE
Surface tension of a liquid and interfacial tension between two liquids
Work of adhesion, solid/liquid interfacial tension, spreading coefficient
Temperature