The University of Iowa

Department of Physics & Astronomy

Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

Code Number: 5A10.15

Demo Title: Triboelectric Series

Condition: Good

Principle: Electrostatics

Area of Study: Electricity & Magnetism

Equipment:

See file 5A10.15 in the E & M section.

Procedure:

The triboelectric series lists solids that when rubbed together with another on the list the one listed higher receives a positive charge (items lose electrons) and those below it a negative charge (items gain electrons).

6 such lists are:

Smithsonian Triboelectric Series

Not-So-Common Materials

School for Champions

Triboelectric Series by W. Beaty

Physics Demonstrations by Julian Clint Sprott

Triboelectric Series by Thomas B. Jones

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Mica
Wool
Nylon
Polished Glass
Lead
Silk
Aluminum, Zinc
Filter Paper
Cotton
Dry Wood
Unpolished Glass
Lucite/Perspex
Paraffin Wax
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polystyrene
Polyethylene
Soft Rubber
Sulfur
Hard Rubber
Teflon
Saran wrap

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Asbestos
Fur (Rabbit)
Glass Mica
Wool
Quartz
Cat's Fur
Lead
Silk
Human Skin, Aluminum
Cotton
Wood
Amber
Resins
Brass, Cu, Ni, Co, Ag, etc.
Rubber
Sulfur
Metals (Pt Au)
Celluloid
India Rubber

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Rabbit's Fur
Glass
Mica
Wool
Cat's Fur
Silk
Cotton
Wood
Amber
Resins
Metals (Cu, Ni, Co, Ag, etc.)
Sulfur
Metals (Pt, Au)
Celluliod

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Silicone Elastomer with Silica Filler
Borosilicate Glass, Fire Polished
Window Glass
Ethylcellulose
Rock Salt (NaCl)
Wool, Knitted
Silica, Fire Polished
Silk, Woven
Cellulose Acetate
Cellulose (Regenerated) Sponge
Cotton, Woven
Polyurethane Elastomer
Polystyrene
Polyurethane Flexible Sponge
Borosilicate Glass, Ground Surface
Polyvinyl Butyral
Epoxide resin
Natural rubber
Sulfur
Polyethylene

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Dry Human Skin
Leather
Rabbit Fur
Glass
Human Hair
Nylon
Wool
Lead
Cat Fur
Silk
Aluminum
Paper
Cotton
Steel
Wood
Amber
Hard Rubber
Nickel, Copper
Brass, Silver
Gold, Platinum
Polyester
Styrene (Styrofoam)
Saran Wrap
Polyurethane
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Vinyl (PVC)
Silicon
Teflon

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Positive (+) Items Lose Electrons

Asbestos
Glass
Nylon
Wool
Lead
Silk
Aluminum
Paper
Cotton
Steel
Hard Rubber
Nickel & Copper
Brass & Silver
Synthetic Rubber
Orlon
Saran
Polyethylene
Teflon
Silicone Rubber

Negative (-) Items Gain Electrons

Triboelectric Table by AlphaLab Inc.
Polyurethane foam	+60	+N	All materials are good insulators (>1000 T ohm cm) unless noted.
Sorbothane	+58	-W	Slightly conductive. (120 G ohm cm).
Box sealing tape (BOPP)	+55	+W	Non-sticky side. Becomes more negative if sanded down to the BOPP film.
Hair, oily skin	+45	+N	Skin is conductive. Cannot be charged by metal rubbing.
Solid polyurethane, filled	+40	+N	Slightly conductive. (8 T ohm cm).
Magnesium fluoride (MgF2)	+35	+N	Anti-reflective optical coating.
Nylon, dry skin	+30	+N	Skin is conductive. Cannot be charged by metal rubbing.
Machine oil	+29	+N
Nylatron (nylon filled with MoS2)	+28	+N
Glass (soda)	+25	+N	Slightly conductive. (Depends on humidity).
Paper (uncoated copy)	+10	-W	Most papers & cardboard have similar affinity. Slightly conductive.
Wood (pine)	+7	-W
GE brand Silicone II (hardens in air)	+6	+N	More positive than the other silicone chemistry (see below).
Cotton	+5	+N	Slightly conductive. (Depends on humidity).
Nitrile rubber	+3	-W
Wool	0	-W
Polycarbonate	-5	-W
ABS	-5	-N
Acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate) and adhesive side of clear carton-sealing and office tape	-10	-N	Several clear tape adhesives are have an affinity almost identical to acrylic, even though various compositions are listed.
Epoxy (circuit board)	-32	-N
Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR, Buna S)	-35	-N	Sometimes inaccurately called "neoprene" (see below).
Solvent-based spray paints	-38	-N	May vary.
PET (mylar) cloth	-40	-W
PET (mylar) solid	-40	+W
EVA rubber for gaskets, filled	-55	-N	Slightly conductive. (10 T ohm cm). Filled rubber will usually conduct.
Gum rubber	-60	-N	Barely conductive. (500 T ohm cm).
Hot melt glue	-62	-N
Polystyrene	-70	-N
Polyimide	-70	-N
Silicones (air harden & thermoset, but not GE)	-72	-N
Vinyl: flexible (clear tubing)	-75	-N
Carton-sealing tape (BOPP), sanded down	-85	-N	Raw surface is very + (see above), but close to PP when sanded.
Olefins (alkenes): LDPE, HDPE, PP	-90	-N	UHMWPE is below. Against metals, PP is more neg than PE.
Cellulose nitrate	-93	-N
Office tape backing (vinyl copolymer ?)	-95	-N
UHMWPE	-95	-N
Neoprene (polychloroprene, not SBR)	-98	-N	Slightly conductive if filled (1.5 T ohm cm).
PVC (rigid vinyl)	-100	-N
Latex (natural) rubber	-105	-N
Viton, filled	-117	-N	Slightly conductive. (40 T ohm cm).
Epichlorohydrin rubber, filled	-118	-N	Slightly conductive. (250 G ohm cm).
Santoprene rubber	-120	-N
Hypalon rubber, filled	-130	-N	Slightly conductive. (30 T ohm cm).
Butyl rubber, filled	-135	-N	Conductive. (900 M ohm cm). Test was done fast.
EDPM rubber, filled	-140	-N	Slightly conductive. (40 T ohm cm).
Teflon	-190	-N	Surface is fluorine atoms-- very electronegative

References:

Walter Roy Mellen, "Inexpensive Electrostatic Halos", TPT, Vol. 28, #9, Dec. 1990, p. 612.
Richard J. Fitzgerald, "A Nanovolcano Array", Physics Today, Vol. 71, #5, May 2018, p. 72.
E-010: "Triboelectric Series", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.
Gorazd Planinsic, "You Can Make Sweet Electricity In Your Kitchen", Physics Education, Vol.39, # 1, Jan. 2004, p. 36.
Robert A. Morse, "Laboratory Activity 1: Separating Charges & Forces Between Charged Objects ", Teaching about Electrostatics, p. 3 - 1.
Janice VanCleave, "Variation", Geography for Every Kids: East Activities that Make Learning Geography Fun, p. 75.
Jearl Walker, "5.14, Ski Glow", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 225.
Jearl Walker, "5.8, Sweaters, Playground Slides, and Surgery Rooms", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 50.
Simon Quellen Field, "The Triboelectric Series", Gonzo Gizmos, p. 59.
10.02: R.D. Edge, String & Sticky Tape Experiments.
R.A. Ford, "Tribolectrification and Contact Electrification", Homemade Lightning, p. 90- 92.
Robert P. Lanni, "Electrostatics Demonstrations", Apparatus for Teaching Physics, p. 193.
Rudolf F. Graf, "The Triboelectric or Electrostatic Series", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 37.

Disclaimer

These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.