The Strength of Liquid Bridges Between Dissimilar Materials

Abstract

Abstract The strength of the liquid bridge between a sphere and a plate of dissimilar materials was studied. An equation was derived using the surface energy approach. For small amounts of liquid, the force of adhesion f was f=2πRy(cosθ1 + cosθ2 where R is the sphere radius, y is the surface tension, and θ2 , θ2 the contact angles. In the derivationn, major simplications about the meniscus shape were possible. The equation was experimentally tested with water, ethyl alcohol, aniline and iodobenzene using factorial combinations with different solids. Force of adhesion measurements were carried out using a tensile testing machine at controlled loading rates. Excellent agreement was obtained in the experimental and predicted adhesion values. The McFarlane-Tabor equation was identified as correct only for small amounts of liquids and similarly wet solids.