Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the adhesion properties of a surface of an article by holding the article so that the surface is facing downwards and placing a droplet of liquid against the surface. The volume of the droplet is incremented until the droplet reaches a critical weight at which some of the liquid drops for the action of the gravity force. The higher is the critical weight, the stronger the mutual adhesion forces between the liquid and the surface. If the characteristics of the liquid are kept constant, it is possible to obtain an immediate evaluation of the adhesiveness of a surface by comparing the measured critical weight with experimental results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the degree of cleanliness of a substrate surface by measuring the surface wettability, particularly of an inorganic surface used in the manufacturing of electronic components. The wettability of the substrate surface is measured by depositing a droplet of test liquid on the substrate surface and measuring the speed at which the droplet evaporates. This speed is proportional to the droplet liquid surface area, which depends on the substrate surface wettability. A good surface wettability indicates a clean surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the temperature calibration of a thermogravimetric analyzer. The apparatus includes a crucible, a weight, and a corresponding metal foil. The metal foil supports the weight in the crucible until the melting point of the metal foil is reached. When the melting point of the foil is reached, the metal foil is no longer able to support the weight, causing the dropping of the weight in the crucible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the degree of cleanliness of a substrate surface, particularly an inorganic surface used in the manufacturing of electronic components. A soft metal, eg., indium, probe is pressed against the substrate surface to be tested and then withdrawn. A tensile force, caused by the surface energies of the two materials, opposes the separation. If the inorganic surface is contaminated by any organic material, this force will be greatly affected. The tensile force is measured with a load cell and the displacement from the expected value will indicate the degree of contamination of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the adhesion properties of a surface of an article by holding the article so that the surface is facing downwards and placing a droplet of liquid against the surface. The volume of the droplet is incremented until the droplet reaches a critical weight at which some of the liquid drops for the action of the gravity force. The higher is the critical weight, the stronger the mutual adhesion forces between the liquid and the surface. If the characteristics of the liquid are kept constant, it is possible to obtain an immediate evaluation of the adhesiveness of a surface by comparing the measured critical weight with experimental results.

Abstract: A method for pretreating a plastic surface in a coating process. The plastic surface is immersed in a solution containing iso-propanol, or another light alcohol, and potassium hydroxide (KOH). The method and the solution according to the present invention are particularly useful for cleaning and etching plastic surfaces (e.g. PU or PVC) with a heavy organic chemical contamination (e.g. silicone).