On the behaviour of thin liquid layers at curved solid edges

The knowledge of the behaviour of thin liquid layers on solid surfaces is of fundamental interest as far as basic research and applications like technical covering or lubrication processes are concerned. The subject is currently of increasing importance, particularly due to stronger requirements of thin liquid layer functionalities. We therefore studied the development of the liquid layer thickness distribution field as well as the liquid layer disturbance propagation on a plane solid surface in the vicinity of a curved solid edge experimentally using LIF technique. The investigation focusses on the influence of the initial layer thickness as well as on liquid properties like viscosity and surface tension on the liquid film behaviour, especially close to solid edges. Selected experimental results are shown highlighting relevant quantities with respect to disturbance propagation and validation. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)