Triboelectric Charging Substance Selection

drerzaask

If I am trying to minimize triboelectric charging. What two substances when rubbed together would produce minimal field lines and minimal charging?

tankajava

Any two dissimilar materials can and will tribocharge. The farther apart two materials are on the Triboelectric Series scale, the greater they will charge when separated. The speed of separation, friction (rubbing), and relative humidity will also effect how large the charge will be. Select your two materials close to the center and next to each other on the scale for minimum charging.



Are you trying to reduce the effects of tribocharging? If so standard electrostatic discharge prevention methods would go a long way. Using things like properly connected and grounded wrist straps, ESD safe (dissipative) mats, ESD safe lab coats, and wearing low-charging natural fiber clothing like cotton will help.

To effectively remove a charge requires use an ionizer or you can wait for charges to decay.

JA

DrZoidberg

Polycarbonate (used for CDs) is difficult to charge by rubbing it.