HM-JC4 Fully Automatic Contact Angle Meter | Multi-Site Batch Measurement

I. Overview

The contact angle (θ) is defined as the angle formed at the three-phase contact line where a gas-liquid interface meets a solid surface, measured through the liquid phase between the tangent to the liquid-vapor interface and the solid-liquid boundary. Contact angle measurement constitutes one of the principal analytical methods for surface property characterization in contemporary materials science.

The HM-JC4 is a fully automated contact angle goniometer employing shape image analysis methodology to quantitatively determine contact angles, wettability, surface/interfacial tension, surface free energy, rolling angle (sliding angle), advancing and receding angles, contact angle hysteresis, and multi-point automated intelligent contact angle measurement. The instrument features a high degree of automation and can be integrated with automated production lines for inline process monitoring and real-time fitting analysis.

II. Applications

The contact angle goniometer finds broad application across multiple industrial and research domains, including mobile device manufacturing, glass production, surface treatment, materials research, chemical engineering, semiconductor fabrication, coatings and inks, electronic circuits, textile fibers, and biomedical sciences. Contact angle measurement has become an essential analytical tool for evaluating surface properties.

Representative measurement capabilities (certain functions require dedicated accessories):

1. Sessile drop method for static contact angle measurement: characterization of liquid spreading, penetration, and absorption behavior on solid surfaces.

2. Dynamic contact angle measurement: advancing angle, receding angle, contact angle hysteresis, and rolling angle determination on solid substrates.

3. Time-dependent contact angle analysis: continuous real-time monitoring and recording of contact angle evolution curves on absorptive materials.

4. Contact angle measurement on specialized substrates: powders, curved surfaces, superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic specimens.

5. Captive bubble method: contact angle determination of materials immersed in liquid media.

6. Pendant drop method: measurement of liquid surface/interfacial tension with polar and dispersive component resolution.

7. Surface free energy calculation: determination of solid surface free energy with polar and dispersive component analysis.

8. Work of adhesion analysis: evaluation of surface uniformity, cleanliness, and related interfacial properties.

III. Instrument Principle

The HM-JC4 contact angle goniometer comprises five primary subsystems: illumination source, dispensing unit, sample stage, image acquisition system, and analysis software. The instrument operates on the principle of optical imaging.

• Illumination: High-density LED cold light system providing uniform, thermally neutral illumination with extended service life and enhanced image clarity.

• Dispensing Unit: High-precision syringe pump with software-controlled volumetric and flow rate regulation, ensuring highly stable and accurate liquid delivery; automated vertical positioning with software-controlled needle elevation and retraction.

• Sample Stage: Three-axis automated positioning system with full software control, enabling programmable multi-point measurement with configurable test protocols for different specimen types.

• Imaging System: Monochrome imported CCD camera providing stable, high-fidelity image acquisition; German industrial-grade telecentric zoom lens (0.7-4.5×, with 3 mm fine adjustment) delivering distortion-free imaging.

• Analysis Software: One-click fully automatic fitting with internationally advanced fitting algorithms for accurate characterization of all droplet morphologies.

IV. Technical Specifications

V. Applicable Standards

1. GB/T 24368-2009: Detection of Hydrophobic Contaminants on Glass Surfaces

2. SY/T 5153-2007: Method for Determining Wettability of Reservoir Rocks

3. ASTM D724-99 (2003): Standard Test Method for Surface Wettability of Paper

4. ASTM D5946-2004: Measurement of Water Contact Angle on Plastic Films

5. ISO 15989: Measurement of Water Contact Angle on Corona-Treated Plastic Films and Sheets

VI. Product Features

1. High-strength aerospace-grade aluminum alloy construction with modular design; proprietary integrated circuit control architecture incorporating design principles from internationally leading contact angle instrumentation, ensuring exceptional instrument stability.

2. Industrial-grade adjustable LED cold light source system (lifespan > 25,000 hours) for superior image clarity while preventing thermal evaporation of small droplets.

3. High-performance Japanese-manufactured industrial camera sensor with German-engineered telecentric zoom lens achieving virtually distortion-free imaging.

4. USB 2.0 standard interface providing high-speed data transfer with excellent compatibility and connection stability.

5. German-imported contact angle calibration standards for verified instrument accuracy; calibration reference plates: 3°, 5°, 8°; 60°, 90°, 120°; 115° (optional).

6. Flexible imaging system design adaptable to diverse measurement environments and complex sample surface geometries.

7. Comprehensive contact angle fitting methods including proprietary differential ellipse and differential circle algorithms for specialized droplet profile analysis.

8. Fully automated fitting algorithms eliminating operator-dependent measurement variability.

9. Bilateral contact angle measurement with rapid fitting capability for comprehensive liquid-solid wettability characterization and accurate assessment of actual surface wetting conditions.

10. Dynamic measurement and high-speed video analysis with continuous recording of contact angle temporal evolution and automatic batch fitting.

11. Automated report generation in multiple formats: Word, Excel, and graphical output.

12. Extensive optional accessories and customization capabilities supported by dedicated R&D team.

13. Sample recipe management: configure measurement protocols based on actual specimen dimensions, store configurations for instant retrieval when testing identical product types.

14. One-click multi-point measurement sequence: automated sample feeding → automated liquid dispensing → automated measurement → automated point advancement.

15. Persistent test recipe storage: save measurement protocols for different sample types for direct retrieval in subsequent testing sessions.

VII. After-Sales Service

1. Standard models available for immediate dispatch.

2. Global two-year comprehensive instrument warranty.

3. Complimentary pre-purchase sample testing service.

4. Lifetime free software updates for all instruments worldwide.

5. Regular operation and theoretical training sessions at headquarters.

6. Lifetime instrument calibration, maintenance, and servicing.

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