--- type: "WebPage" title: "Goniometer analysis of surface tension / interfacial tension" description: "Your need: carry out a Goniometer analysis to measure surface tension or interfacial tension What is surface tension or interfacial tension? Surface tension is also known as interfacial tension. It refers to the surface energy created by the interaction of..." resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/analysis-goniometer/" tags: ["EN", "pll_63fe057bec394", "Materials", "Thomas ROUSSEAU"] timestamp: "2026-07-01T13:11:26Z" published: "2022-06-13T08:33:45Z" language: "en" author: "Stage Filab" --- # Goniometer analysis of surface tension / interfacial tension ## Your need: carry out a Goniometer analysis to measure surface tension or interfacial tension ### What is surface tension or interfacial tension? Surface [tension](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-tension-analysis.md) is also known as interfacial tension. It refers to the surface energy created by the interaction of molecules at the surface of a liquid. This surface energy is due to the electrical attraction forces that hold adjacent molecules together. When the condensed phase is a liquid and its environment is air, the term **interfacial tension** is used. When the condensed phase is a solid, and its environment a reference liquid (water or other), the term **surface tension** is used. ### The goniometer in a few words The Goniometer is an instrument for measuring interfacial tension and surface tension by contact angle using the sessile drop method. A sessile drop is a drop of liquid that rests on a solid surface without moving. The instrument deposits a drop of deionized water or another solvent with a predefined volume of a few µl onto the surface of a material, then analyzes the shape of the drop at a rate of 80 images per second. The drop angle makes it possible to determine the surface tension of a solid with respect to a known liquid, as well as the wettability of that liquid on the surface: an angle of 180° indicates no wetting (the liquid does not spread), while an angle of 0° corresponds to complete wetting (the liquid spreads entirely). The pendant drop measurement makes it possible to determine the surface tension of a liquid (liquid/air interface) by analyzing the shape of a drop suspended from a capillary, according to the Young-Laplace equation. ### Why carry out a goniometer analysis? Surface tension measurement helps us understand the molecular interaction between liquids and solids. This measurement reflects a liquid’s ability to adhere to a solid surface, such as a coating or substrate. Measurement with a goniometer is used to measure the contact angle formed between a solid and a liquid. The**surface tension measurement** can [reveal the adhesive properties](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-adhesion-analysis.md) of a liquid, which are used in many industrial applications, such as paints, cleaners, food additives, and many others. It is also a measurement technique used in the study of material wettability. The **surface tension measurement** makes it possible to characterize the [surface properties](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization.md) of materials__, providing valuable physical data, particularly in cosmetic formulation and in inks. ## FILAB: laboratory for goniometer surface tension analysis ### Why choose FILAB for goniometer expertise? In order to support manufacturers in the development and quality control of their products, the FILAB laboratory provides a state-of-the-art [analytical platform](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) for carrying out goniometer expertise. This equipment can be used in combination with other analytical techniques. ### Our technical resources: Goniometer The droplet dimensions provide information on intermolecular forces and make it possible to calculate surface tension in mN/m. The angle formed between the drop and the material provides information on the hydrophilic nature of the material studied. The lower the measured angle, the more hydrophilic the material is. For certain applications such as bonding or printing, the absorption rate of a liquid on its substrate is a critical parameter. Dynamic contact angle measurement then tells us about the spreading speed or absorption rate of the material analyzed. As with the static measurement, a drop is deposited on the surface of the material. The evolution of its contact angle is then measured by capturing one image every millisecond for a period of up to 10 minutes. ## Our surface tension analysis services Measurement of drop size by [laser granulometry](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-laser-granulometry.md) Surface energy measurement Drop angle measurement Measurement of adhesion between a liquid and a solid Characterization of droplet distribution by [SEM-FEG-EDX](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-d-analysis-par-microscopie-electronique-a-balayage-meb-edx/) Measurement of a material's surface wettability [Measurement of a liquid's surface tension](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/analysis-goniometer/measuring-the-surface-tension-of-a-liquid-in-the-laboratory.md) Static and dynamic drop angle measurements ## Our FAQ How can i get a goniometer expertise quote from the FILAB laboratory? To get a goniometer expertise quote from the FILAB laboratory, you can contact our teams via our contact form, by phone, or by email. All you need to do is send us your requirements (material type, analysis requested, any applicable standard, urgency, number of samples, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours. What is the typical turnaround time for analysis? Turnaround times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expertise project. However, FILAB is committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your constraints and industrial urgencies. What properties are analyzed during a goniometer analysis? One of the most commonly used tools for measuring surface tension is the goniometer. This method is used primarily to assess the properties of liquids and solids in terms of wetting and adhesion. It provides essential information about the surface properties of materials. The goniometer can be used to determine surface wettability, evaluate surface roughness, spreading, and even the viscosity of liquids, in correlation with other techniques. What are the methods for measuring surface tension? To measure surface tension, there are several technical methods, including contact angle analysis. This is a scientific method used to understand the interaction between a solid surface and a liquid through various technical means: pendant drop, mobile wire, Wilhelmy, and ink tests. For this purpose, tensiometers and goniometers are used. What are the differences between a tensiometer and a goniometer? A tensiometer is used to measure the surface tension of a liquid, while a goniometer is used to measure the contact angle of a liquid on a surface.Tensiometers measure the interfacial tension between two phases, often between a liquid and air or a liquid and a solid, while goniometers are used to measure the contact angle of a solid with a liquid. Tensiometers are often used in chemistry to measure the physical properties of foams and emulsions, while goniometers are used in physics to measure the properties of solid surfaces. What is the measurement of a liquid’s surface tension? Measuring the surface tension of a liquid is an essential procedure for characterizing the physical properties of fluids. It is particularly useful in sectors such as chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and materials. Surface tension is a measure of the cohesive force between molecules at the surface of a liquid. It is generally expressed in newtons per meter (N/m) or dynes per centimeter (dyn/cm). This property affects the behavior of the liquid in various contexts, including wetting, droplet formation, and the stability of emulsions.