Effect of thickness non-homogeneity on the kinetic behaviour of microscopic foam films

The effect of thickness non-homogeneity on the drainage of microscopic horizontal foam films was studied experimentally and theoretically. Quasi-static and asymmetrical distribution of thickness irregularities over the film surface was established in the experiment. This type of dimpling was modelled theoretically and employed to derive a new equation for the film thinning. It differs from the theoretical expressions known from the literature and is in better agreement with the experimentally determined functional dependence of thinning rate on film size.