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This table shows the dispersion (non-polar) and polar components, as well as an acid—base breakout, of surface tension for a variety of solvents and other liquids which are commonly used in the analysis of solid state surface energy. A similar table, which includes enthalpy of vaporization, Hansen Solubility Parameters, total surface tension, and molar volume, can be seen here.

A third table features Hansen Solubility Parameters, surface energy, and critical surface tension data for a broad variety of polymers. It can be seen here.

Each table can be sorted by column — just click on the column header as desired to re-order this printable table.

If you know of additional liquids with polar-dispersion and/or acid—base surface tension components of special interest, especially as related to contact angle and other surface analysis techniques, we would like to hear your input — please e-mail us to let us know.

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Surface Tension Components and Molecular Weight of Selected Liquids

Name(1)
ascendingdescending
Mol. Formula(2)
ascendingdescending
CAS #(2)
ascendingdescending
Mol. Wt.(3)
ascendingdescending
Surface Tension(4)
Total
ascendingdescending
Dispersion
ascendingdescending
Polar
ascendingdescending
Acid
ascendingdescending
Base
ascendingdescending
Trichloromethane (chloroform) CHCl3 67-66-3 119.38 27.2 27.2 0.0 1.5 0.0
Diiodomethane (methylene iodide) CH2I2 75-11-6 267.84 50.8 50.8 0.0 0.01 0.0
2-Butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) C4H8O 78-93-3 72.11 24.6 24.6 - - 24(11)
Tetrahydrofuran C4H8O 109-99-9 72.11 27.4 27.4 - - 15.0(11)
Ethyl acetate (ethyl ethanoate) C4H8O2 141-78-6 88.11 23.9 23.9 0.0 0.0 6.2
Diethyl ether (ethoxyethane) C4H10O 60-29-7 74.12 17.0 17.0 0.0 - -
Benzene C6H6 71-43-2 78.11 28.9 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.96
Cyclohexane C6H12 110-82-7 84.16 25.2 25.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
Toluene C7H8 108-88-3 92.13 28.5 28.5 0.0 0.0 0.72
n-Heptane C7H16 142-82-5 100.20 20.1 20.1 0.0 0.0 0.0
o-Xylene C8H10 95-47-6 106.17 30.1 30.1 0.0 0.0 0.58
1-Bromonaphthalene C10H7Br 90-11-9 207.07 44.4 44.4 0.0 - -
cis-Decahydrohaphthalene (cis-decalin) C10H18 493-01-6 138.25 32.2 32.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
Decane C10H22 124-18-5 142.28 23.8 23.8 0.0 - -
Hexadecane C16H34 544-76-3 226.44 27.5 27.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
Tricresyl phosphate C21H21O4P 1330-78-5(9) 368.36 40.9(5) 39.8(5) 1.1(5) - -
Tricresyl phosphate C21H21O4P 1330-78-5(9) 368.36 40.9(8) 39.7(8) 1.2(8) - -
Tricresyl phosphate C21H21O4P 1330-78-5(9) 368.36 40.9(12) 39.2(12) 1.7(12) - -
Diiodomethane (methylene iodide) CH2I2 75-11-6 267.84 50.8(5) 49.0(5) 1.8(5) 0.01 0.0
Diiodomethane (methylene iodide) CH2I2 75-11-6 267.84 50.8(12) 48.5(12) 2.3(12) 0.01 0.0
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) C2H6O 64-17-5 46.07 21.4 18.8 2.6 0.02(10) 68(10)
Methanol (methyl alcohol) CH4O 67-56-1 32.04 22.5 18.2 4.3 0.06(10) 77(10)
2-Ethoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monoethyl ether) C4H10O2 110-80-5 90.12 28.6(13) 23.6(13) 5.0(13) - -
Diiodomethane (methylene iodide) CH2I2 75-11-6 267.84 50.8(6) 44.1(6) 6.7(6) 0.01 0.0
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) C2H6OS 67-68-5 78.13 44 36 8 0.5 32
Ethylene glycol C2H6O2 107-21-1 62.07 48.8(7) 32.8(7) 16.0(7) 3.0 30.1
Formamide (methanamide) CH3NO 75-12-7 45.04 58.2(12) 39.5(12) 18.7(12) 2.28 39.6
Formamide (methanamide) CH3NO 75-12-7 45.04 58 39 19 2.28 39.6
Ethylene glycol C2H6O2 107-21-1 62.07 48 29 19 3.0 30.1
Formamide (methanamide) CH3NO 75-12-7 45.04 58.2(5) 36.0(5) 22.2(5) 2.28 39.6
Glycerol C3H8O3 56-81-5 92.09 63.4(5) 40.6(5) 22.8(5) 3.92 57.4
Formamide (methanamide) CH3NO 75-12-7 45.04 57.9(7) 34.3(7) 23.5(7) 2.28 39.6
Glycerol C3H8O3 56-81-5 92.09 63.4(7) 37.0(7) 26.4(7) 3.92 57.4
Glycerol C3H8O3 56-81-5 92.09 64 34 30 3.92 57.4
Water H2O 7732-18-5 18.02 72.8(5) 22.6(5) 50.2(5) 25.5 25.5
Water H2O 7732-18-5 18.02 72.8(6) 22.1(6) 50.7(6) 25.5 25.5
Water H2O 7732-18-5 18.02 72.8 21.8 51.0 25.5 25.5

(1) Choice of nomenclature is one of the most difficult tasks in assembling any table of chemical data, especially one containing a variety of hydrocarbons that have become widely known by non-scientific names. We have generally used IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) nomenclature as the primary name; synonyms in common use are also included — sometimes these are shown as the primary name, depending on common usage. In a very few cases, the IUPAC designation is quite technical, and not widely used in industry, and so has been left out of this table entirely. It is always best to reference CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) numbers to make sure the correct material is being evaluated. To top of page

(2) Thermophysical Properties of Chemicals and Hydrocarbons, Carl L. Yaw, William Andrew, Norwich, NY, 2008, except as noted. To top of page

(3) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 85th Edition, David R. Lide, ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2004, except as noted. To top of page

(4) mJ/m2 (equivalent to dynes/cm) @ 20oC (293.15 K): Interfacial Forces in Aqueous Media, 2nd Edition, Carel J. van Oss, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2006, except as noted. Details on the polar/dispersion and acid/base components are available from the original data sources. To top of page

(5) @ 20oC: Polymer Interface and Adhesion, Souheng Wu, Marcel Dekker, New York, NY, 1982, p. 151; harmonic mean, derived from contact angle data. To top of page

(6) @ 20oC: Polymer Interface and Adhesion, Souheng Wu, Marcel Dekker, New York, NY, 1982, p. 151; harmonic mean, derived from interfacial tension data. To top of page

(7) no temperature cited: A.F. Toussaint and P. Luner, in Contact Angle, Wettability and Adhesion, K.L. Mittal, editor, VSP, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 1993, p. 385. To top of page

(8) @ 20oC: Polymer Interface and Adhesion, Souheng Wu, Marcel Dekker, New York, NY, 1982, p. 153; derived from contact angle data on poly(methyl methacrylate). To top of page

(9) www.wikipedia.org/wiki. To top of page

(10) Values estimated from total polarity and solubility in water, Interfacial Forces in Aqueous Media, 2nd Edition, Carel J. van Oss, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2006, p. 216. To top of page

(11) Estimated value from known minimum and maximum possible actual value, Interfacial Forces in Aqueous Media, 2nd Edition, Carel J. van Oss, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2006, p. 277. To top of page

(12) @ 20oC: J.R. Dann, J. Adhsn. Sci. Tech., 21, 961 (2007). To top of page

(13) @ 25oC: J.R. Dann, J. Coll. Interface Sci, 32, 961 (1970). To top of page

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