1999 Volume 48 Issue 10 Pages 633-638
Wetting processes of sea salt particles were analyzed using an optical microscope combined with a QCM (quartz crystal microbalance). Sea salt particles used were collected at some seashore areas. Resonance frequencies of QCM were measured with every several of relative humidity step. QCM results frequently indicate that the weight gains according to moisture absorption were not observed and frequency change corresponding to weight loss were measured. These phenomena were discussed in comparison with thermodynamic and fluid mechanical calculation. It was found that the oscillation of QCM was attenuated in the water droplets, which were created by moisture absorption of sea salt particles. The weight change indicating the moisture absorption of sea salt particles is difficult to detect by the QCM sensor used in this study, having 10MHz of resonance frequency.
