The wetting of powders of acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, phenacetin and paracetamol.

The wetting of powders of acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, phenacetin and paracetamol has been assessed using methanol--water mixtures to give a range of surface tensions. The results have been interpreted in terms of the critical surface tension, adhesion tension and spreading coefficients. The critical surface tension values are surprisingly low which may be due to adsorption of the methanol at the solid surface, exposing its CH3 group to the liquid. The adhesion tension and spreading coefficient values could be useful guides in formulation.