Analysis of the silica surface free energy by the imbibition technique

The surface free energy of silica and its components have been evaluated fr om imbibition experiments performed with liquids of differing surface prope rties by the distance-time method. Data were analyzed by a parabolic fit to Washburn's equation, because of the uncertainty in the exact position and time at which penetration begins in these kinds of experiments. In addition to the mathematical treatment of the experimental results, the influence o f the components and parameters of the surface tension of the liquids used on the values of the solid surface free-energy components has been analyzed . (C) 2001 Academic Press.