A
film often thins gradually to a thickness at which it either ruptures or converts abruptly
to an
equilibrium. Rupture under these conditions characterizes
unstable films, whereas transition to an
equilibrium film characterizes (meta)
stable films.
Source:
PAC, 1972, 31, 577
(Manual of Symbols and Terminology for Physicochemical Quantities and Units, Appendix
II: Definitions, Terminology and Symbols in Colloid and Surface Chemistry)
on page 614