Influence of liquid meniscus on surface forces

The condensation of water in the gaps between members of microelecromechanical systems and precision friction units is caused by the presence of water vapors in air. The formation of liquid meniscus induces an additional force and affects considerably other surface forces. Numerical simulation was used to determine the meniscus and Van der Waals forces depending on the distance between the bodies in contact. Theoretical dependencies are used when interpreting experimental data obtained with the contact adhesion meter. Different factors that affect surface interaction and the application of the proposed approach to micro-and nanotribology are discussed.