Effects of inertia on the hydrodynamics near moving contact lines

Abstract

We investigate the effects of inertia on the hydrodynamics in the microscopic vicinity of moving contact lines. These hydrodynamics control the macroscopic shape and spreading of fluid bodies across solid surfaces. We perform experiments at low capillary number (Ca<0.1) and negligible (10−4) to moderate (Re∼1) Reynolds number. On a microscopic scale, inertia decreases the dynamic curvature of the free surface near the contact line compared to the case with Re=0 at the same Ca. On a macroscopic scale, inertia lowers the apparent contact angle of the static-like macroscopic interface compared to the situations with the same Ca but negligible Re.