An asymptotic analysis of small holes in thin fluid layers (Q5961807)

The authors derive asymptotic formulae for axisymmetric holes in thin fluid layers lying on a horizontal substrate when the radius of the hole is small. This problem is of considerable practical importance to the coating industry. The asymptotic formulae improve previous results and are new in the borderline case when the contact angle between the fluid and the substrate is \(\pi\). The proof is based on formal calculations making use of an approximation of the problem, which enables one to determine the leading term of the asymptotic formula.