NEWTONIAN DROP IMPACT WITH A SOLID-SURFACE

The spreading of Newtonian liquid drops after impact with a solid surface is reported for a range of liquid and surface properties, drop diameters, and impact velocities. Results for liquid viscosities up to 300 mPa . s are given. For a given drop diameter and velocity, a range of liquid viscosities result in splashing even for smooth surfaces. The maximum spread radius, made dimensionless with the drop radius, is correlated as R*(max) = 0.61 (Re(2)Oh)(0.166), where Re and Oh are the Reynolds and Ohnesorge numbers, respectively. A model is proposed to account for inertial, viscous and surface tension forces on the maximum spread radius. Good agreement is found between the model and experimental data from several sources.