Drop Shape Analyzer

DSA30E

Versatile automated wetting and adhesion analysis of solids and liquids

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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.

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.

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

  • 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 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

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Analyzing solids with up to four liquids

The DSA30E is equipped with the Dosing Hub for fast positioning and control of the dosing units. The instrument combines the automatic Liquid Needle for particularly fast and gentle dosing of two liquids with two software-controlled syringe dosing units for almost any liquid. This combination enables, for example, automatic, fast and reliable surface free energy measurements with four liquids. Alternatively, the DSA30E works together with a multi-dosing system with four syringes.

Automated positioning for complete sample analyses

The DSA30E is fitted with three software-controlled axes. These move the sample accurately and quickly to all programmed measuring positions. This makes it possible to carry out complete, standardized analyses, which is ideal for quality control. Moreover, wetting can be analyzed dependent on the sample position to check for homogeneity or to assess differences between coated and uncoated areas, for example.

 

 

Reliable drop shape analysis thanks to high imaging quality

A high-resolution camera and a high-quality zoom lens ensure an accurate representation of the drop with optimal size. The high image quality that this achieves leads to a precisely measured contact angle or surface tension (SFT). Combined with the intelligent image evaluation algorithm of the ADVANCE software, drop shape analysis with the instrument provides exact results.

 

 

Maximum repeatability and comprehensive adhesion analysis

With the ADVANCE software’s easy-to-create automation programs you can design standard procedures for fully automated sample analyses in no time at all. Optional software tools for data analysis combine SFE and SFT data in order to assess the adhesion and other scientific parameters of the solid/liquid contact.