Textile Physics-II

Name of Course: Textile Physics-II

Course Code: TEX 2307

Name of Chapter: Static Electricity

Course Teacher:
Tarifun Akter
Lecturer (Wet Processing)
Department of Textile Engineering
Northern University Bangladesh

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 Textile Physics-II

Static Electricity

Static electricity
If two surfaces come in close contact with each other, charge is created in them due to friction.
The produced charges remain enclosed and static in their surfaces. They cannot move from one
place to another, here only charges are exchanged between the two surfaces. This type of
electricity is called static electricity. For instance, friction between the silk fabric and glass rod
positive charge is created on the glass rod and negative charge on the silk which remain
stationary and cannot move. As this type of electricity is produced due to friction so they also
called frictional electricity.

Theories of static electricity

For explaining various circumstances regarding electricity various theories have been given in
various time. Now the following five theories are available,

 Two fluid theory

 One fluid theory
 Faraday‟s theory
 Lorent‟z theory
 Modern theory

Two fluid theory:

According to this theory in uncharged or neutral condition a material has two of opposite
charges. Due to friction one type of fluid flows from one material to another. Thus, an
increment or decrement of the charge occurs in the bodies. Thus, electricity produced.
One fluid theory:
This theory was postulated by Watt and Franklin. According to this theory in uncharged
or neutral condition of a material has a definite quantity of indestructible charge fluid. If
there is an increment of this charge, then the body gets positive charged and vice-versa.
Faraday’s theory:
According to this theory, if the charges produced by static electrical experiment are
moved by electric cell, we will get current electricity.
Lorent’z theory:
According to this theory positive and negative charges are not two different types of
fluid, rather they are two oppositely charged particles.
Modern theory:
Now-a-days the above 4 theories are discarded and the modern electron theory is
accepted. “Static electricity is simply an imbalance in the distribution of electrons. May
be defined as an accumulation of the time in variant charge of positive (+ve) or negative
(-ve) sign on a material either locally or fully. This charge often generates a high voltage
associated with low current levels.”

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 Textile Physics-II

According to this theory every atom has a positively charged stationary nucleus due to the
presence of positive charged particles called protons and negatively charged electrons moving
round the nucleus. In neutral or uncharged condition, the no. of rotating electrons is equal to the
no. of proton present in the nucleus. If the no. of electrons increases the atom becomes
negatively charged and if the no. of electrons decreases the atom becomes positively charged.

Measurement of magnitude of charge

The amount of static charge present should be expressed by the magnitude of charge on the
material. This may be measured by using Faraday‟s cylinder. The following figure shows the
apparatus used by keggin to measure the charge on card sliver.

The charge material in the cylinder induces an equal and opposite charges on the inside of the
cylinder. Again, outside the cylinder, there produces equal charge of same sign of the material
inside cylinder. This outside charge induces in the condenser. The potential difference „v‟ is
measured by a value voltmeter and if one knows the total capacity of the whole system, then the
charge can be calculated by the following formula,

Q = CV

Where, Q = Amount of charge induced in cylinder

C = Known capacity of the whole system

V = Potential difference shown by voltmeter

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 Textile Physics-II

Problems due to static electricity in Textile sector:

1. Problems due to the presence of similar charge:

 Falling down of fiber strand because of same charge.
 There will be ballooning of a bundle of slivers and ultimately possible of
breakage of sliver.
 Difficulties in textile material handling.
 Cloth will not be folded itself neatly when it comes off a fine machine.

2. Problems due to the presence of opposite charge:

 Attract dirt, dust, soil and cause fog-marking in loom-condition.
 Two garments may stick together.
 One garment may ride up to another thus causing embarrassment to the wearer.
 Difficulties in opening parachutes.

3. Problems due to the unusual attraction of charged particles to the uncharged bodies:
 Dirt and dust may stick to the garment.
 Soiling of cloths.
 Fiber may stitch to the machine body.
 Roller lapping (mainly in carding) may occur.
 Noise may occur.
 Sparking may occur.
 Fog-marking may occur.

4. Problems due to sparking:

 Risk of fire or explosion due to sparks.
 Sparks from clothing are source of danger where flammable vapors are present as in
operation theaters in hospitals.
5. Large amount of accumulated static charge may give shock to the wearer.

6. Due to static charge the projecting fibers remain stick with the fabric. So they cannot be
removed by singeing and cropping. So, dyeing and finishing become faulty.

7. Due to static charge roving experience more friction during passing over the guides and
breaks. It also creates problem during winding on to the bobbin.

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 Textile Physics-II

Method of minimizing static problem:

As static electricity causes various problems they should be minimized by the following ways:-

 By processing aids:
By using conducting liquids like emulsion, oil friction between the material can be
minimized/ reduced. Thus, formation of static electricity can be minimized.

 By changing relative humidity:

By increasing humidity of atmosphere the resistance of the materials can be reduced so that
the static charge will move and static problems will be minimized. This can also be done by
spraying water.

 By using ratio active material:

Ratio-active materials ionize the air which reduces the static charge formation.

 By finishing treatment:
In man-made fiber spinning by using antistatic agent with spin finish applicator the
formation of static charge can be reduced.

 By earthing:
By earthing the metallic machine components produce static charge can be neutralized.

 By using conductive fibers:

By blending conductive fibers with non-conductive one so static problem may be
minimized by the discharge effect.

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