Modeling the Microgravity Effect on Wetting of Solids with Different Liquids

Abstract

The dependences of wetting contact angles on gravity in conditions simulating decreased gravitation pressure are studied. The wetting contact angles are measured for various solid–liquid systems using both low-temperature liquids (water, glycerin, hyposulfite, orthophosphoric acid) and metal melts (tin, silver). It is found that gravity has no effect on the contact angle when solids are wetted by liquids. The final answer to the question how gravity influences the contact angle can be given after experiments performed in conditions of a space station.