PCA-11
PCA-11: portable contact angle meter
PCA-11: "one-click" fully-automatic measurements
PCA-11: measurement of contact angle
PCA-11: measurement of surface tension
PCA-11: on a jig for contact angle measurements of cylinders
The portable contact angle meter PCA-11 is a compact and lightweight device for fully automated on-site measurements of contact angle, surface tension, and surface free energy of solids.
Testing on-site for quality control and surface wettability evaluation, characterized by the contact angle, is often required during manufacturing processes or in the field. The PCA-11 can be used on any material such as glass, metal, film, paper & pulp, polymer, wood, etc., that must be measured on-site or that, due to their size or shape, cannot be analyzed with the usual stationary contact angle measuring instruments.
Weighing only 650g, combined with the single-click fully automated operation and precise measurements, the PCA-11 is the ideal solution for non-destructive surface evaluations.
Features
- Single-click fully automated operation
- Precise measurement of contact angles, even on slopes of up to 90º
- Analysis of surface free energy
- Measurement of surface tension using the pendant drop method
- Time-dependent measurements by image capture of up to 30 fps
- 500 droplets with a volume of 1μl can be generated with one prepared syringe
- Simple replacement of syringe and liquid sample via the easily accessible front door
- Visible needle tip allows precise capture of the target point
- Droplet calibration standard for standard view, bearing one full circle for calibration and three droplet silhouettes of 5º, 60º, and 108º for periodic inspection of measurement accuracy
Options
Hardware
- Surface free energy kit
- Pendant drop kit
- Pendant drop calibration standard (for standard view)
- Light shielding plate
Applications
- Evaluation of cleanliness of large panels and silicon wafer
- Evaluation of surface modification techniques, such as corona, flame and plasma treatments
- Non-destructive evaluation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces such as automobiles parts, windshields, building walls
Specifications
| PCA-11 | |
| Camera system | USB2.0 CMOS camera: 30fps at 640x480 pixels |
| Optical system |
focus: fixed focus with fixed focal length field of view: 6.3x4.7mm ±5% |
| Measuring methods |
contact angle: sessile drop (static and dynamic) surface tension: pendant drop (static and dynamic) |
| Analysis methods |
contact angle: θ/2, tangent, curve fitting (ellipse, circle) surface tension: Young-Laplace, ds/de surface free energy of solids: OWRK, Owens-Wendt, Kaelble-Uy, Kitazaki-Hata, Wu, acid-base, Zisman |
| Measuring range |
contact angle: 0.1 to 180° surface tension: 0.1 to 100mN/m |
| Resolution |
contact angle: 0.01° surface tension: 0.01mN/m |
| Accuracy1) |
contact angle: 0.5° surface tension: 0.5mN/m |
| Maximum sample surface area and height (WxDxH) |
no limitations |
| Dispenser operation: Droplet deposition Droplet generation Droplet resolution |
automatic automatic 0.1μl |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 110x50x110mm |
| Approximately weight | 650g |
| Electric power |
USB bus power DC5V, max. 2W |
| Operating environment |
temperature: +10 to +35℃, humidity: 30-80%RH (non-condensing) positioned away from sources of electrical noise and vibration |
1) Accuracy is the repeatability in terms of standard deviation based on the manufacturer’s calibration standard