THE 3-PHASE CONTACT PARAMETERS OF THIN WATER FILMS ON MINERAL SURFACES

A new method for the characterization of the wettability of opaque sol id surfaces by measuring (a) the lifetime of thin liquid films, (b) th e kinetics of expansion of the three-phase contact (TPC), (c) the equi librium contact angle is developed. The method is tested with galena-x anthate and copper mineral-pyrite-Aerodri 104 systems. The experimenta l results from TPC parameter measurements of galena and flotation test s indicate the important role of the TPC expansion rate in flotation. The effect of Aerodri 104 on three-phase froth stability is investigat ed. It is found that the breakdown of the three-phase froth can be cor related directly with the equilibrium contact angle. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.