lowsurfacetension
Low surface tension refers to liquids whose surface tension is substantially lower than that of water at a given temperature. Surface tension is the cohesive force at a liquid–air interface, which tends to minimize surface area. Water has a relatively high surface tension around 72 mN/m at 20°C, so liquids with much lower values are described as having low surface tension. Common examples include many organic solvents such as hexane (about 18–20 mN/m) and ethanol (about 22 mN/m), as well as various oils and fluorinated liquids.
Low surface tension can be intrinsic to the liquid or achieved by adding surface-active agents called surfactants.
Measurement of surface tension is commonly performed with methods such as the Du Noüy ring or the
Applications and implications include coatings, inkjet printing, spray technologies, and cleaning processes, where low surface tension