A Method for Determining Surface Free Energy of Bamboo Fiber Materials by Applying Fowkes Theory and Using Computer Aided Machine Vision Based Measurement Technique

The purpose of this study is to develop a standard methodology for measuring the surface free energy （SFE）, and its component parts of bamboo fiber materials. The current methods was reviewed to determine the surface tension of natural fibers and the disadvantages of techniques used were discussed. Although numerous techniques have been employed to characterize surface tension of natural fibers, it seems that the credibility of results obtained may often be dubious. In this paper, critical surface tension estimates were obtained from computer aided machine vision based measurement. Data were then analyzed by the least squares method to estimate the components of SFE. SFE was estimated by least squares analysis and also by Schultz＇ method. By using the Fowkes method the polar and disperse fractions of the surface free energy of bamboo fiber materials can be obtained. Strictly speaking, this method is based on a combination of the knowledge of Fowkes theory. SFE is desirable when adhesion is required, and it avoids some of the limitations of existing studies which has been proposed. The calculation steps described in this research are only intended to explain the methods. The results show that the method that only determines SFE as a single parameter may be unable to differentiate adequately between bamboo fiber materials, but it is feasible and very efficient. In order to obtain the maximum performance from the computer aided machine vision based measurement instruments, this measurement should be recommended and kept available for reference.