Julia Yeomans OBE FRS

Abstract:

In this work we present a study of the characteristics of UV cure ink droplets on different media (model homogeneous and heterogeneous surfaces, PET, treated PET, etc.). By varying the magnitude of chemical heterogeneities on model surfaces, we are able to highlight the parameters that affect droplet shape. Using Lattice Boltzmann simulations of droplet spreading, we show that the location of the impact point of a droplet on patterned substrate with micron size chemical heterogeneity is an important criterion to consider with respect to the equilibrium shape of a droplet. This allows a complete understanding of the effect of chemical heterogeneity on droplet shape, and therefore on printing quality. We also report an experimental study of the morphology of ink droplets adsorbed on chemically defined substrates. This morphology appears to be related with the surface properties of the media considered.

Abstract:

We use a three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann model to investigate the spreading of mesoscale droplets on homogeneous and heterogeneous surfaces. On a homogeneous substrate the base radius of the droplet grows with time as t(0.28) for a range of viscosities and surface tensions. The time evolutions collapse onto a single curve as a function of a dimensionless time. On a surface comprising of alternate hydrophobic and hydrophilic stripes the wetting velocity is anisotropic and the equilibrium shape of the droplet reflects the wetting properties of the underlying substrate.