Static generation and dissipation of polyester continuous filament yarn

Abstract

The effect of environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity) and contact conditions (yarn tension and speed) on static generation and dissipation of polyester flat continuous filament yarn, when rubbed against stainless steel was analyzed. A newly developed device, housed in an environmental room, was used to charge the yarn while moving under desired tension. The charge potentials were measured at two different positions in real time. These measurements and previously established exponential relationship permitted the calculation of the initial potential (at the generation point) and a ‘characteristic decay time’, which is a measure of static dissipation. Experimental data showed that temperature, humidity, yarn tension, and yarn speed have significant effects on static generation; while temperature, humidity, and yarn speed yielded statistically significant changes on static dissipation. Anomalous behavior of static charge when measured at a temperature of 35°C, provided a meaningful clue to control the environmental conditions in the textile industry.