Interactions Between Particles and Surfaces

Interactions between particles and surfaces play a significant role in many technical systems. To better understand the impact of particles on the overall behavior, the interactions between particles and surfaces are investigated experimentally and numerically for three generalized systems. The systems are chosen such that they differ in the number, mechanical properties, and kinematics of the particles, in the applied surrounding fluid, and in the spacial and temporal scales. In system one, the topography resulting from the interaction of abrasive particles being in contact with surfaces is analyzed. Depending on particle size and wetting conditions, the resulting topography varies from uniformly scattered to single local indentations. System two represents impacting particles on surfaces. The rebounce behavior varies strongly depending on the local structure of the surface and the wetting conditions, which can cause additional adhesive forces. System three investigates particles moving in a liquid close to a surface. Though not being in direct contact with the surface, the liquid mediates interactions between the particles and the surface. The particle’s trajectory depends strongly on its elastic modulus. These three systems are used to analyze special particle surface interactions independently. However, the results can also be used to characterize real applications, in which these interactions may occur in combination.