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THE ELECTROSTATICS
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WHAT'S ELECTROSTATICS?
Matter is composed by atoms. Each atom consists of a positively charged nucleus, sorrounded by a number of orbiting, negatively charged electrons, just like the sun and its planets. In normal atoms, the electron negative charge is equal to the nuclear positive charge, so that the overall atom charge is null. Bodies made up of such balanced atoms are "neutral". When losing electrons, atoms acquire a positive overall charge, when acquiring electrons, they are negatively charged. Therefore a body may be positively or negatively charged. Such charges, which are known as "Static Electricity", may cause serious troubles and problems to manufacturing processes.
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THE SOURCE
When two bodies come into contact through compression, rubbing or separation, the electrons of the surface atoms may mix and pass from one atom to another. When two bodies are separated, the one losing electrons is positively charged, the other one is negatively charged. Pressure and friction widen both the area and the degree of contact between surfaces, increasing the charging effects accordingly.
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HOW TO DETECT IT
A charged isolated object attracts cigarette ash, light dust, etc. A remarkable electrostatic charge may be noticed when in contact with the human body or take place through an electric discharge. Static electricity can also be detected through specific instruments currently on the market.
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HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
To ionize the sorrounding air is a safe and effective method of neutralizing the electrostatic charges on non conducting materials, which consists in decomposing the air atoms into unbound electrons (negative ions) and free positive nucleuses (positive ions). As opposite charges attract, the positively charged material, passing throgh ionized air, will attract negative free ions becoming neutral. The negatively charged material will attract unbound positive ions and will release its exceeding electrons to them, thus becoming neutral itself.
The antistatic bars and all other antistatic devices are in a position to ionize the air and render each kind of materials neutral, even at high production speeds.
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