2013 Volume 52 Issue 6 Pages 535-541
Stability of a conducting inviscid drop hanging from a nozzle in an electric field with corona discharge is examined theoretically. By this static model with linear stability analysis, jetting mode change of electrostatic inkjet process is estimated. The basic equations, the augmented Young-Laplace equation for drop shape and the Poisson equation for electric field, are coupled and solved by the Finite Element Method. With the increment of non-dimensional electric field, a drop is deformed and subject to corona discharge. According to the shape and the applied voltage at the turning point where the system changes from stable region to unstable region by the linear stability analysis, jetting voltage and the mode of electrostatic inkjet are determined. It is found the existence of corona discharge reduces its stable jetting range. However, there still be needed to include other effect, such as corona wind for the better prediction of jetting mode change by this static model.
