Asymptotic solution for film flow on a rotating disk

Unsteady liquid film flow of nonuniform thickness on a rotating disk is analyzed. Assuming small aspect ratio of the initial film thickness to the disk radius and applying Higgins' asymptotic method [Phys. Fluids 29, 3522 (1986)], the long and short-time scale solutions for transient film thickness were obtained and these two solutions were matched to give a composite solution. The results reveal the effects of gravitational and surface tension forces as well as the effect of inertial force on the film thinning and planarization. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S1070-6631(00)00808-4].