Liquid spreading on solid surfaces and penetration into porous matrices: Coated and uncoated papers

Liquid spreading on solid surfaces and penetration into porous matrices (powders and coated papers) are investigated. The influence of chemical and structural heterogeneity on equilibrium and dynamic surface wetting is evaluated both experimentally and theoretically. Single capillary systems are used to identify the predominating mechanisms for acceleration, momentum, inertial and viscous liquid penetration. Different stages of vertical and horizontal penetration of liquids from non-limited, restricted (sessile drop) and cut-off sources into powders and papers are evaluated with reference to a range of frequently used models. For all types of liquid transport power-law exponents are used to relate all observations. The applicability of models from which the exponents are derived is discussed. Results are compared to theoretical predictions for liquid penetration. Models are of general validity, but the focus is placed on probe liquid spreading on and penetrating into coated and uncoated papers. This sets a particular challenge, since papers are heterogeneous layered composites of powder compacts on fibrous network. For the evaluation of models published results are supported by extended original results.