Experimental and numerical investigations of liquid transfer between inclined surfaces

The liquid transfer process is an intricate phenomenon influenced by the combined effects of viscous, inertial, and surface forces. There have been a number of previous experimental and numerical studies investigating the mechanisms of liquid transfer; however, the effect of contact angle hysteresis has been overlooked. This is essential for accurately reproducing the complex contact line motions that play a significant role in controlling the precise volume deposited during liquid transfer. In our study, we investigate the effects of a range of control parameters such as viscosity, velocity, and surface wettability on liquid transfer via both experiment and numerical simulations based on the phase-field model and incorporating contact angle hysteresis. We manipulate the surface tilting angle to examine its key role in governing the liquid transfer between non-parallel surfaces. The results give new insight into optimizing Roll-to-Roll printing system, and other liquid transfer applications.