If adsorption equilibrium and mutual @S05472@ of the phases is not achieved instantly, it is possible to distinguish the initial spreading tension, \(\sigma _{\text{i}}^{\unicode[Times]{x3B1} \unicode[Times]{x3B2} \unicode[Times]{x3B4} }\), from the final spreading tension, \(\sigma _{\text{i}}^{\unicode[Times]{x3B1} \unicode[Times]{x3B2} \unicode[Times]{x3B4} }\), when equilibrium has been reached. In the case in which \(\sigma _{\text{i}}^{\unicode[Times]{x3B1} \unicode[Times]{x3B2} \unicode[Times]{x3B4} }\) is positive, while \(\sigma _{\text{i}}^{\unicode[Times]{x3B1} \unicode[Times]{x3B2} \unicode[Times]{x3B4} }\) is negative, the system is said to exhibit autophobicity.