Contact angle measurements for automotive exterior water management

Abstract The simulation of fluid flow over solid surfaces is important in many applications, for example, automotive applications where good visibility and the performance external sensors are essential. Multiphase CFD methods such as level set or coupled set–volume typically require a validated dynamic contact angle model function capillary number to accurately resolve near wall behaviour. This paper explores an experimental approach identify suitable pure contaminated water on glass painted surfaces. Applying image processing high-resolution digital images droplets descending flat plate samples required surfaces, advancing receding angles determined. Cox–Voinov, de Gennes Yokoi models parameterised from data, shown be most suited these surface/fluid combinations hysteresis significant. A multiphase implementing demonstrates correlation Bond between experiment. Graphic abstract