Profile Analysis Tensiometers
Advanced instruments for surface and interfacial characterization.
Thin Film Analysis
TFA-2
Understand the dynamics of thin liquid films.
The TFA-2 Thin Film Analyzer enables quantitative characterization of microscopic foam and emulsion films. Combining interferometric thickness measurements with direct optical observation, it provides unique insight into film drainage, stability and rupture within a dedicated research platform.
Films
Foam & emulsion
Optical
Interferometry
Pressure
Balance technique
The TFA-2 platform
Explore the science of thin liquid films.
Thin liquid films are the fundamental building blocks of foams and emulsions. Their thickness, stability and drainage behavior determine the performance of countless formulations, from consumer products to advanced materials. The TFA-2 has been developed to characterize these properties with exceptional precision.
Based on the Thin Liquid Film Pressure Balance Technique, the instrument combines interferometric thickness measurements with direct microscopic observation, allowing researchers to investigate film formation, thinning, rupture, black film formation and disjoining pressure within a single experimental platform.
Capabilities
One platform. Endless possibilities.
Discover the measurement capabilities and integrated technologies of the TFA-2.
Determine thin liquid film thickness with high precision using an interferometric measurement principle for quantitative film characterization.
Investigate thin liquid films using the well-established Thin Liquid Film Pressure Balance Technique for controlled stability studies.
Observe film drainage, thinning behavior and rupture processes to evaluate the stability of microscopic foam and emulsion films.
A high-quality inverse microscope with digital imaging enables continuous visualization throughout every stage of the experiment.
Directly monitor the appearance of black spots, black films and bilayer structures during thin film evolution.
Perform reproducible thin film investigations using a temperature-controlled measurement cell for stable experimental conditions.
Performance
Precision for thin liquid film research.
The TFA-2 combines interferometric thickness measurements with controlled pressure balance experiments to investigate the stability and dynamics of microscopic liquid films.
±0.2 nm
Thickness resolution
High-resolution interferometric measurement of microscopic thin liquid films.
30–100 nm
Film thickness
Characterize stable, thinning and equilibrium liquid films over a broad thickness range.
10–10000 Pa
Disjoining pressure
Quantify the pressure acting within thin liquid films during drainage and equilibrium.
10–80 °C
Temperature control
Perform reproducible experiments under precisely controlled thermal conditions.
Values may depend on configuration, measurement mode and optional modules.
Measurement principle
From reflected light to thin film interactions.
The TFA-2 combines the Thin Liquid Film Pressure Balance Technique with interferometric thickness measurement. A microscopic liquid film is formed inside a specialized pressure-controlled measurement cell and observed through an inverse microscope. Monochromatic light is reflected at the upper and lower film interfaces, creating an interference signal from which the film thickness is calculated. By simultaneously controlling the capillary pressure, the instrument reveals how film thickness, drainage and stability depend on the disjoining pressure acting within the film.
Measurement technique
Thin Film Pressure Balance
Thickness analysis
Optical interferometry
Scientific output
Disjoining pressure curves
Optional accessories
Expand your TFA-2.
Customize the TFA-2 with dedicated measurement cells, optical components and laboratory accessories for advanced thin liquid film investigations.
TFA-2 Configurator
Configure your TFA-2.
Configure the TFA-2 with the appropriate measurement cells, pressure-control components and optical accessories for your thin liquid film investigations.
Measurement cells
Pressure control
Optical accessories
Glas Filter
Precision Filter
Modular system
Select modules, options and accessories individually.
Applications
Designed for thin liquid film research.
The TFA-2 supports quantitative investigation of microscopic liquid films across academic research and industrial formulation development. Analyze film thickness, drainage, stability and disjoining pressure in a wide range of interfacial systems.
Scientific publications
Thousands
Publications and scientific references related to interface characterization.
Supporting thin liquid film research.
Explore peer-reviewed publications covering foam films, emulsion stability, thin liquid films, disjoining pressure, surfactant systems and interfacial phenomena investigated with SINTERFACE instruments.
Verified SINTERFACE instrument use will be clearly distinguished from recommended scientific literature.
Technical information
Everything you need for thin film characterization.
Explore the complete measurement capabilities, hardware configuration and technical specifications of the TFA-2 Thin Film Analyzer.
Thin Liquid Film Pressure Balance Technique
Interferometric film thickness measurement
Thin liquid film stability
Film drainage studies
Black spot formation
Black film formation
Disjoining pressure measurements
Pressure sequence experiments
Foam films
Emulsion films
Inverse microscope
Digital camera
Monochromatic light source
Photo sensor module
Pressure-controlled measurement cell
Temperature-controlled measurement cell
Pressure control unit
Quartz optical window
Thin film analysis
- Film thickness range
- 30–100 nm
- Thickness resolution
- ±0.2 nm
- Disjoining pressure
- 10–10000 Pa
- Temperature range
- 10–80 °C
Optics
- Microscope
- Inverse microscope
- Camera
- Digital CCD camera
- Illumination
- Monochromatic light source
System
- Pressure control
- Integrated
- Software
- Windows compatible
Real-time film thickness evaluation
Interferometric analysis
Pressure sequence control
Live microscopic image acquisition
Film drainage evaluation
Disjoining pressure analysis
Graphical visualization of experiments
Data export for scientific evaluation
Measurement cells
Pressure control accessories
Porous plate sets
Photo sensor module
Temperature control accessories
Specifications may vary depending on configuration, software version and optional modules.
Downloads
Documentation and resources.
Access technical documentation, application notes and supporting material for the TFA-2 Thin Film Analyzer.
Additional manuals and software downloads are available through the SINTERFACE customer portal.
Visit download centerTFA-2
Ready to investigate thin liquid films?
Discuss your research objectives with our specialists and configure the TFA-2 for foam films, emulsion systems and advanced thin liquid film investigations.
Application consultationConfiguration supportGlobal technical assistance