Statics and dynamics of capillary bridges

The present theoretical and experimental investigations concern static and dynamic properties of capillary bridges (CB) without gravity deformations. Central to their theoretical treatment is the capillary bridge definition domain, i.e. the determination of the permitted limits of the bridge parameters. Concave and convex bridges exhibit significant differences in these limits. The numerical calculations, presented as isogones (lines connecting points, characterizing constant contact angle) reveal some unexpected features in the behavior of the bridges. The experimental observations on static bridges confirm certain numerical results, while raising new problems of interest related to the stability of the equilibrium forms. The dynamic aspects of the investigation comprise the capillary attraction (thinning) of concave bridge. The thinning velocities at the onset of the process were determined. The capillary attraction, weight of the plates and viscous forces were shown to be the governing factors, while the inertia forces turned to be negligible.