Static Electrification of Teflon by Metals

SUMMARY The electrification of a system consisting of a metal and polytetrafluoro-ethylene (Teflon) has been investigated under relative motion. First, the electrification charge received by the insulator was measured when velocity, radius of curvature of the metal electrode and normal force were varied. The measure ments were performed both in atmospheric pressure and later under vacuum, since electrical breakdown sometimes limited the charge of the insulator. The results of these investigations indicated that the electrification charge received by the insulator is proportional to the real area of contact. Electrification in the sliding mode might therefore be analysed and interpreted as simply as in lifting experiments. Electrification experiments were then carried out using several metals, and a linear relation was found between the insulator charge density and the metal work function. This result together with the short charging time observed suggest a charging mechanism, in which electrons from the metal fill empty surface states in the insulator up to a level corresponding to the Fermi level of the metal.