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Initial spreading of low-viscosity drops on partially wetting surfaces

Koen G. Winkels, Joost H. Weijs, Antonin Eddi, and Jacco H. Snoeijer

Physics of Fluids Group, Faculty of Science and Technology and MESA+ Institute, University of Twente, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Phys. Rev. E 85, 055301(R) – Published 3 May, 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.85.055301

Abstract

Liquid drops start spreading directly after coming into contact with a partially wetting substrate. Although this phenomenon involves a three-phase contact line, the spreading motion is very fast. We study the initial spreading dynamics of low-viscosity drops using two complementary methods: molecular dynamics simulations and high-speed imaging. We access previously unexplored length and time scales and provide a detailed picture on how the initial contact between the liquid drop and the solid is established. Both methods unambiguously point toward a spreading regime that is independent of wettability, with the contact radius growing as the square root of time.

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