Reliable methods for the characterization of the surface properties and the wettability of small particles have not been available in the past. A novel technique, based on the behaviour of the lest particles at the solidification front of certain well defined solidifying melts (matrix materials) has been developed recently in our laboratory. This method was used to determine contact angles and surface tensions of coal particles in the range of 20-250 μm. Two types of bituminous and one type of subbituminous coal were tested using thymol, biphenyl, napthalene, salol and 2-phenyl phenol as matrix materials.