Rupture of thin liquid films induced by impinging air-jets.
Thin liquid films on partially wetting substrates are subjected to laminar axisymmetric air-jets impinging at normal incidence. We measured the time at which film rupture occurs and dewetting commences as a function of diameter and Reynolds number of the air-jet. We developed numerical models for the air flow as well as the height evolution of the thin liquid film. The experimental results were compared with numerical simulations based on the lubrication approximation and a phenomenological expression for the disjoining pressure. We achieved quantitative agreement for the rupture times. We found that the film thickness profiles were highly sensitive to the presence of minute quantities of surface-active contaminants.
Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Christian W J
CW
Berendsen
Jos C H
JC
Zeegers
Geerit C F L
GC
Kruis
Michel
M
Riepen
Anton A
AA
Darhuber
D000388:Air; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011312:Pressure; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D013997:Time Factors
D013501:Surface-Active Agents