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The Triboelectric Series Table

The Greek philosopher and mathematician, Thales of Miletus observed, in around 600 BC, that by rubbing amber with wool, the amber could be made to attract small items like leaves or dust. This is known as the triboelectric effect.

In 1757, the Swedish physicist, Johan Carl Wilcke, published the first Triboelectric Series: a list that ranks materials according to their tendency to gain or lose electrons and therefore how quickly a material develops a charge relative to other materials on the list.

This list is not exhaustive but serves to illustrate that many industrial plastics will develop a charge easily and that this charge is of a negative polarity.

Download Electrostatic Insights | Triboelectric Series

POSITIVE 
Tends to lose electronsHuman hands
Rabbit fur
Acetate
Glass
Mica
Human hair
Nylon
Wool
Fur
Lead
Silk
Aluminium
Paper
NEUTRALCotton
Steel
Wood
Amber
Sealing wax
Hard rubber
BoPET
Nickel, copper
Silver
Brass
Gold, platinum
Sulphur
Acetate rayon
Polyester
Celluloid
Acrylic
Polyurethane
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
PVC (vinyl)
PCTFE
Silicon
PTFE
Tends to gain electronsSilicone rubber
NEGATIVE
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Last Updated: 6 October, 2020

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