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This study investigates the electric static charge produced during the friction of various polymers against stainless steel under different lubrication conditions.

May 30, 2026Open Access

Electric Static Charge Generated From the Sliding of Polymers Against Stainless Steel

AAA. AlahmadiTaif University WAW. Y. AliMinia University MMM. K. MohamedMinia University

Key Points

This study investigates the electric static charge produced during the friction of various polymers against stainless steel under different lubrication conditions.
Conducted experiments measuring electric static charge from polymers (PA 6, GPA 6, PET, PTFE, PMMA) against stainless steel.
Tested under various loads (60 and 180 N) and lubricated conditions (water, salt water, and oil).
Analyzed the influence of polymer composition and lubrication type on voltage generation.
PA 6 lubricated by oil generated the highest voltage, while water and salt water lubrication produced the lowest.
Voltage increased significantly with higher loads, with salt water leading in voltage generation.
GPA 6 outperformed PA 6 in voltage generation, particularly in salt water conditions.

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe increase of polymeric materials use in engineering application necessitates to study their triboelectrification behaviour during friction. Experiments were carried out to measure the electric static charge generated from the friction of different polymeric polyamide (PA 6), graphite filled polyamide (GPA 6), polyethylene terephthalate, (PET), polytetrafluoroethylene, (PTFE) and polymethyl methacrylate, (PMMA) sliding against stainless steel at 60 and 180 N load. The test was carried out at water, salt water and oil lubricated sliding surfaces. It was found that voltage generated from the sliding of PA 6 lubricated by oil against stainless steel showed the highest voltage, while that lubricated by water and salt water showed the lowest voltage. Significant voltage increase was observed with load increase. Water lubricated surfaces displayed the highest voltage values followed by salt water. Oil lubricated surfaces showed the lowest voltage. GPA 6 displayed relatively higher generated voltage than PA 6. Salt water showed the highest voltage followed by water, while oil showed very low voltage. It can be suggested that the presence of graphite in the matrix of PA 6 enhanced its electrical conductivity and homogeneously distributed the electric static charged generated on the surface. Besides, GPA 6 was more sensitive to salt water where the highest voltage was generated. Voltage generated from the sliding of PET against stainless steel showed relatively lower values than that observed for PA 6 and GPA 6. This observation can explain the good tribological properties of PET. The voltage generated from PTFE was influenced by material transfer and transfer back from PTFE to steel surfaces. PMMA displayed relatively high voltage values, where water and salt water produced higher values than oil lubricated surface. As the load increased surfaces lubricated by salt water recorded the maximum voltage values (200 V).

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