GENERATION OF STATIC ON SOLID INSULATORS

Abstract

An account is given of what the author believes to occur when static charges are generated on polymeric insulating surfaces by contact with other surfaces. The subject is approached by trying to predict what will happen, for subsequent comparison with experiment, rather than by taking existing data and trying to explain them. The nature of the carriers of charge is first considered, and it is suggested that adventitious ions attracted from the air during previous periods of charging may play a large part. The importance of recognizing the distinction between equilibrium and kinetic processes is stressed, and the dissipation of charge which occurs when the surfaces are separated is discussed. A simple model is postulated and, on the basis of this, six “basic” processes are predicted which are expected to occur with all surfaces. Various other processes which have been suggested for particular types of surface are discussed. Though other authors are quoted as may be appropriate, the paper does not embody a review of the literature. (This has been done recently in the Journal of the Textile Institute by Arthur³².)