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Our company uses Teflon fixtures in handling of static sensitive parts. We were recently informed that Teflon may build up and dissipate a static charge. Is this a true statement and if so do you know of a related material that may be used in Teflon's place? - Anonymous, Morrisville, NC

Answer

Yes and no. Teflon is on the far negative end of the triboseries chart meaning Teflon will acquire a very large negative charge when tribocharged.Teflon will not dissipate a charge, it will build up a large electric field and because it is an insulator, will retain this large electric field not dissipate it. This large electric field will (unfortunately) charge up all surfaces that come in close proximity (cm to feet) depending on the field strength of the field through charge induction. This charge induction will, if the charged item is conductive, set-up the device for an ESD if it comes into near proximity or contact with a conductor of a different potential (say ground, 0 V). Wood is a good alternative as it won’t charge up nearly as much as Teflon, and has been used by other companies with jigs or fixtures for similar purposes. Copper, Brass and Nickel may be better but should be grounded and I would advise ionization be employed to reduce any charge on isolated conductors that would come near or contact this metal fixture to reduce ESD events.