Splat Solidification of Tin Droplets

An experimental study was done of the impact and solidification of tin droplets falling on a stainless steel surface. The surface temperature was varied from 25°C to 240°C. Measurements were made of droplet diameters and contact angles during droplet spread. At a surface temperature of 240°C there was no solidification, and a simple model of liquid droplet impact successfully predicted the extent of droplet spread. Droplets impacting on surfaces at 25°C and 150°C solidified before spreading was complete.