Abstract
The formation of the macroscopic meniscus, observed when a liquid rises along a vertical plate, is studied for different kinds of fluids: PDMS, decalin/polybutene oil mixtures, high molecular weight polymer solutions in a low viscous simple fluid (decalin) and in decalin/polybutene oil mixtures. The measurement of the force due to the surface tension exerted on the plate gives information on the evolution of the contact angle as a function of time. It is possible to determine a characteristic time of the process depending on the viscosity and on the surface tension. It clearly appears that the behaviour of polymer solutions, both in decalin and in decalin/polybutene mixtures, is markedly different from those for the other fluids. The influence of evaporation is discussed but it seems that the dynamics of the rise of the polymer solutions can be interpreted as resulting from a preferential wetting of the solid by the solvent which drags the polymer in its rise along the solid wall.