Computerized device with CCD camera for measurement of surface tension and wetting angle in solid-liquid systems

In this paper, a computerized device with the CCD camera for the automatic determination of important surface properties of liquid and solid in contact is described. This device is based on image processing algorithms. The system is capable of measuring the surface tension (surface energy) of liquid and the wettability of a solid surface in the wide range of temperatures, up to 1800/spl deg/C. The results obtained with this device are far more accurate than those obtained by means of the currently applied, extremely time consuming non-automatic methods and the operator's subjective evaluation.