The wetting problem of fluids on solid surfaces. Part 1: the dynamics of contact lines

The understanding of the spreading of liquids on solid surfaces is an important challenge for contemporary physics. Today, the motion of the contact line formed at the intersection of two immiscible fluids and a solid is still subject to dispute. In this paper, a new picture of the dynamics of wetting is offered through an example of non-Newtonian slow liquid movements. The kinematics of liquids at the contact line and equations of motion are revisited. Adherence conditions are required except at the contact line. Consequently, for each fluid, the velocity field is multivalued at the contact line and generates an equivalent concept of line friction but stresses and viscous dissipation remain bounded. A Young-Dupré equation for the apparent dynamic contact angle between the interface and solid surface depending on the movements of the fluid near the contact line is proposed.Received: 5 June 2001, Accepted: 24 May 2003, Published online: 29 July 2003PACS: 47.17., 47.50, 66.20, 68.08, 83.50