Wetting at polymer surfaces and interfaces

Experimental research on wetting in polymer films is a subject that is reaching maturity. We review progress from the past few years in research into the influence of a boundary in polymer blends, concentrating largely on the wetting transition, and the growth of wetting layers, where we pay particular attention to blends in which hydrodynamic flow plays a dominant role. A summary of work over the same period concerning the dewetting of polymer films is also included, along with a discussion of the role of pattern formation caused by dewetting and topographically and chemically patterned substrates. We conclude by summarising some experiments that we believe may inspire future research. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.