Contact Angle & Surface Free Energy

MCA-4

Wetting behavior in nanotechnology
Due to technological development, the design patterns on silicon wafers and glass panels have become increasingly
miniaturized. Therefore, we developed our Microscopic Contact Angle Meter MCA to support the increasing demand forstudying the wettability of nanoscale areas.
With the development of a unique capillary with an inner diameter of only 5 µm, it is possible to generate droplets with avolume as low as 10 pL on micro-areas within the width of 100 µm. In addition, using high-quality optical componentsassures the precise measurement of contact angles even at high magnifications.
The top-view camera monitors the surface of the solid substrate and the capillary's tip. That allows depositing tiny
droplets with pinpoint accuracy onto small microelectronic components, micro-grooved surfaces, or single fibers.
The sophisticated technology of our MCA-4 offers reliable measurements of contact angles with high reproducibility.

Field of view (width) in mm

The width of the field of view
depending on the zoom magnification

Zoom magnificationFeatures⚫

Automatic recognition of drop deposition by FAMAS analysis software⚫

The top view camera allows for the deposition of droplets with pinpoint accuracy and observation of the spreading ofmicro-droplets⚫

The high magnification lens and a 12-fold zoom provide a field of view from approximately 75 x 56 µm to 910 x 680 µm⚫

Fine adjustable micro stage in x-, y- and z-axis for exact positioning⚫

Fast image capture system with max. 2,700 fps allows accurate measurements of even quick evaporating picoliter droplets⚫

Droplet calibration standard bearing three sets of one full circle for calibration and three droplet silhouettes of 5°, 60°, and 108° forperiodic inspection of measurement accuracy

Applications⚫

Miniaturized patterns on silicon wafers, OLED panels, electronic components, printed circuit boards, etc.

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Wettability of thin wire materials such as single fibers, hairs, filaments, etc.

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Defined locations on the surface of tiny samples⚫

Inks at a small droplet volume (emitted from an ink-jet head)⚫

Other or micro-structured areas where conventional methods and droplet volume are not applicableMeasurement
The MCA-4 utilizes a precise electric micro-injector system and a high-quality opticalsystem for accurate contact angle measurements of micro-droplets on small surface areasof only 100 x 100µm.
The unique capillaries with three different inner diameters allow dispensing micro-dropletsfrom about 10pl to 1nL with high reproducibility.
This state-of-the-art system has an additional top-view camera that enables not only thedeposition of droplets with pinpoint accuracy but also the observation of the three-phaseline and the spreading of tiny droplets on solid surfaces.

■Hard drive read-write head

Droplets observed with the top-view-camera■ROM circuit

Droplets observed with the top-view-camera■Example of Measurement■Example of Observation

Contact angle measurement of awater droplet on a human hair.

Observation of the wetting condition inside cells of an OLED panel
concerning homogeneous three-phase lines of water droplets.

100µm

100µm

Image showing a homogeneous
three-phase line

Image showing an inhomogeneous
three-phase line

■Contact angle measurement and top-view observation of a 1.7nL water droplet on a superhydrophobic pillar surfaceAnalysis System FAMAS■Measurement of Contact Angles
The analysis software FAMAS enables highly reliable measurements of contact angles using
different methods such as /2 (height-width), tangent, ellipse & circle fitting.
The focusing aid with an index graph and the value displayed in the image screen helps
operators achieve perfect focus. In addition, the black & white threshold level to determine thebinary image before and after measurement helps to optimize droplet analysis.
The spreadsheet-like table displays measured results for easy reference and comparison,and a movie converter converts measurement data images to MPEG or AVI movie formats.

■Analysis of Surface Free Energy of Solids
Solid surface free energies and their polar and dispersive components are analyzed using
contact angle measurements with different probe liquids.
The software provides theories from different authors such as Geometric mean, Harmonic mean,
acid-base, Interaction analysis (Work of Adhesion, Interfacial Free Energy), Young-Dupré, andZisman plot.
An optional kit with five probe liquids and a set of needles is available to quickly startmeasurements of surface free energies according to the desired theory.

Specifications
USB 3.0 CMOS camera with:
Camera system

Optical system
Measuring methods
Analysis methods

Primary magnification (PMAG):
Field of view:
Sessile drop
Contact angle:

MCA-4
400 fps at 640x480 pixels
500 fps at 640x400 pixels
1000 fps at 640x200 pixels
2700 fps at 640x64 pixels
5.3 to 64 times (manual focus with a 12-fold zoom lens)
75 x 56 µm to 910 x 680 µm ±5%

Measuring range

/2 (height-width), Tangent, Curve fitting (ellipse, circle),
Young-Laplace
Surface free energy of solids:
OWRK, Owens-Wendt, Kaelble-Uy, Kitazaki-Hata, Wu, acid-base,
Zisman0 to 180  (depending on the sample and environmental conditions)

Display resolution

0.01 

Sample stage size (WxD)
Stage travel range

50 x 25mm
X-axis:25 mm by manual micrometerY-axis:25 mm by manual micrometerZ-axis:15 mm by manual micrometer
Diameter:above 40 µm
Volume:10 pl to 1 nL
Standard:
Ambient
Option:Jacket type temperature-controlled (+10 to +60 C)
Main instrument:
550 x 620 x 700 mm
Controller rack:
420 x 320 x 323 mm
Installation area:
1000 x 650 x 720 mm
Main instrument:
50.0 kg
Controller rack:
15.0 kg
Clean, dry, and oil-free pressurized air or N2 gas at 0.4 to 0.7 MPa

Approximately droplet size
Measuring temperature
Dimensions (WxDxH)

Approximately weight
Utilities
Power supply
Operating environment

AC 100 to 240 V, 5.0 A, 50/60 Hz
Temperature: +10 to +35 C, humidity: 30 to 80 %RH (non-condensing)
Positioned away from sources of electrical noise and vibration

Standard Components⚫
⚫
⚫

The main instrument is composed of horizontal & vertical camera assembly, LED light source, manual
micro-positioning sample stage, micro-manipulator, micro-dispenser system, and control box
Analysis software FAMAS
Standard accessories:
2 sets of capillaries (25 pcs. each)
1 droplet calibration standard for calibration and periodic inspections

For detailed information, please get in touch with our sales partner or us directly at +81-48-483-2629 or overseas-sales@face-kyowa.co.jp.
Specifications and designs are subject to change without notice.

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