Simulation of the Microgravity Effect on Wettability of Solids with Different Liquids

The dependence of contact angles on gravity in conditions simulating reduced gravitational force is studied. The contact angles for various solid–liquid systems are measured using both lowtemperature liquids (water, glycerin, hyposulfite, phosphoric acid) and metal melts (tin, silver). It is found that gravity has no effect on the contact angle when solids are wetted by liquids. The final answer to the question how gravity influences the contact angle can be given after experiments performed in conditions of a space station.