What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess how different flooring materials affect the friction coefficient and generated electrostatic charge from rubber footwear. It examines various flooring types to determine their electrical and frictional properties.

May 30, 2026Open Access

Friction Coefficient and Electrostatic Charge Generated From Rubber Footwear Sliding Against Flooring Materials

WAW. Y. AliMinia University GAG. T. Abdel-JaberSouth Valley University YEY. M. El-SherbinyShanghai Xiandai Architectural Design

Key Points

This study aims to assess how different flooring materials affect the friction coefficient and generated electrostatic charge from rubber footwear. It examines various flooring types to determine their electrical and frictional properties.
Evaluated friction and electrostatic charge from rubber footwear sliding against ceramic, marble, parquet ceramic, porcelain, and flagstone flooring materials under dry sliding conditions.
Measured voltage generation and friction coefficient at varying loads during the sliding tests.
Maximum voltage generated from porcelain flooring was 5995 volts, significantly higher than other materials.
Friction coefficients ranged from 0.47 to 0.82, showing highest values on parquet ceramic and lowest on marble.
Voltage generation increased with load across all flooring types, with ceramic showing lower charge generation compared to marble and parquet.

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe present work discusses the effect of flooring materials on the generation of electric static charge and friction coefficient. The electric static charge and friction coefficient of smooth rubber footwear sliding against different types of flooring materials were investigated under dry sliding condition. The tested flooring materials were ceramic, marble, parquet ceramic, porcelain and flagstone. It was observed that voltage generated from sliding against ceramic flooring slightly. The measured voltage values showed significant scatter as well known for the generated electric static charge, where the maximum and minimum values reached 850 and 360 volts respectively. It is expected that electrical field will be formed due the electric charge formed on the footwear and floor surfaces. Marble flooring displayed higher values than that observed for ceramic flooring. As the load increased, voltage increased. Based on this observation it can be suggested to select flooring materials according to their resistance to generate electric static charge. Voltage generated from sliding of footwear against parquet ceramic flooring was lower than marble and higher than that generated from smooth ceramic. It seems that surface topography of the parquet ceramic was responsible for that behaviour. Voltage presented significant increase when footwear slid against porcelain flooring, where the maximum value reached 5995 volts. This behaviour can be an obstacle in using porcelain as flooring material, while flagstone flooring showed the lowest generated voltage, especially at low loads. This observation can confirm the use of the flooring materials. The values of friction coefficient displayed by sliding against ceramic flooring displayed decreasing trend of friction coefficient with increasing load. Footwear sliding against marble flooring experienced relatively lower friction coefficient than that observed on ceramic one. Sliding against parquet ceramic flooring showed relatively higher friction values than that observed for ceramic and marble. The highest friction value was 0.82, while the lowest one was 0.47. Porcelain flooring showed relatively lower friction values than that observed for ceramic and parquet ceramic, while higher than that shown for marble. Friction coefficient displayed by sliding against flagstone flooring represented significant increase in friction coefficient.

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