Classification of static cylindrical menisci confined in a wedge

Abstract

In this study, we analyze the shape of a puddle in a plane wedge with a translational symmetry. Under the assumption of equilibrium, where the viscous force is negligible, the shape of the puddle can be approximated as a curve represented as a particular case of Euler’s elastica. For specified geometrical parameter and wetting properties, the shape of the curve is solely determined by a single dimensionless parameter, i.e., either the shape factor or the dimensionless puddle height. The shape factor is a convex function of height. Our analysis shows that, the physically meaningful section of the curve can be classified into three types based on the wedge shape, contact angles, material properties, and the puddle size.