Abstract
This paper describes experimental investigation of meniscus force and friction force of a water droplet sliding between two hydrophobic surfaces. A water droplet on a hydrophobic surface generates positive Laplace pressure, which can support the normal load. Friction force between water droplet and hydrophobic surface is small. These characteristics provide the possibility of application to lubrication of micromechanical parts. Meniscus forces, friction forces were measured when a water droplet was sheared between two hydrophobic surfaces and relationship between these forces and shape of the droplet was examined. Moreover, the generation mechanism of the friction force was clarified based on the experimental results.
