Drop Shape Analyzer

The semi-automatic premium solution for wettability analysis

The Standard configuration of the DSA100 Drop Shape Analyzer system solution is designed for the semi-automatic measurement of the static and dynamic contact angle and the scientific assessment of wettability by means of the surface free energy (SFE).

The instrument, which is equipped with a robust housing, is well-suited for the reliable quality assurance of surface pre-treatment processes as well as the development and optimization of wetting and coating procedures. Accessories for ultrafast one-click SFE measurement as well as wetting analysis at higher temperatures enhance the spectrum of the instrument.

Applications

• Quality assurance and optimization of activation processes such as plasma treatment, flame treatment, or corona treatment before coating or bonding

• Analyzing wettability of plastics, glass, ceramics, wood, paper, or metal

• Analyzing the effectiveness of hydrophobic coatings and other coatings

• Analyzing surface cleanliness

• Wetting analysis at controlled temperature

Measuring methods

• Contact angle of a drop on a solid surface
• Contact angle using a gas bubble beneath a solid surface in a liquid
• Contact angles of two drops dosed in parallel
• Surface free energy of a solid using contact angle data
• Roll-off behavior and advancing/receding contact angle of a drop on a tilted surface
• Surface tension using the curvature of a perfectly symmetrical drop on a circular sample pedestal
• 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

• Surface free energy (SFE) according to the following models: Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble (OWRK), Fowkes, Wu, Zisman, Equation of State

• Temperature