The contact angle (CA) is a key parameter for measuring the wettability of a liquid droplet on a solid surface. It reflects surface energy, interfacial interactions, and the surface state of the material. As a rapid, intuitive, and quantitative characterization method, the CA plays an important role in materials science research and applications.

1. Surface Modification and Functionalization Research

Plasma treatment, chemical modification, laser etching, and other methods can significantly alter a material's surface energy.

CA measurement is used to verify the effectiveness of modifications, such as converting a hydrophobic surface to a hydrophilic surface or achieving a superhydrophobic surface.
→ Commonly used in research on anti-fog glass, medical implants, and antibacterial surfaces.

2. Coating and Thin Film Performance Evaluation

Evaluates the uniformity, stability, and functionality of coatings, such as optical coatings, anti-fingerprint (AF), anti-glare (AG), and self-cleaning coatings.

Used to study the surface properties of nanofilms, functional coatings, and optoelectronic materials.

3. Bonding, Printing, and Packaging Processes

Drop angle can predict the wettability of glue, ink, and solder on substrate surfaces.

It helps optimize processes such as electronic packaging, display module lamination, and packaging printing, reducing bubbles, delamination, and failure.

4. Biomaterials and Environmental Materials

In biomedical materials (such as scaffolds and bone repair materials), drop angle determines cell adhesion and protein adsorption properties.

In the environmental field, drop angle is used to assess the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of membrane materials, such as water treatment membranes and gas separation membranes.

Summary

Drop angle measurement is one of the most commonly used surface characterization tools in materials science. It not only reflects the wettability and surface energy of a material, but also verifies the effectiveness of surface treatments and modifications. In applications such as metals, glass, polymers, composites, and biomaterials, drop angle provides a reliable quantitative basis for process optimization and new material development.