Wetting transition

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A wetting transition (Cassie–Wenzel transition) may occur during the process of wetting of a solid (or liquid) surface with a liquid. The transition corresponds to a certain change in contact angle, the macroscopic parameter characterizing wetting.[1] Various contact angles can co-exist on the same solid substrate. Wetting transitions may occur in a different way depending on whether the surface is flat or rough.

When a liquid drop is put onto a flat surface, two situations may result. If the contact angle is zero, the situation is referred to as complete wetting. If the contact angle is between 0 and 180°, the situation is called partial wetting. A wetting transition is a surface phase transition from partial wetting to complete wetting.[2]

Rough surfaces

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