[01] Mai K. M., Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt. [02] Khashaba M. I., Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt. [03] Mousa M. O., Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt. [04] Ali W. Y., Faculty of Engineering, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt.

Recycled rubber tiles are widely used as floor material in hospitals, factories, kid gardens and washrooms. The present work investigates the effect of hardness and thickness of the tiles on the electric static charge generated from the contact and separation of the rubber sole with them. Based on the experimental observations, it was found that electric static charge generated by contact and separation of rubber sole and dry floor tiles significantly increased with increasing the hardness of the tested tiles. Water wet surfaces generated relatively lower charge. Contact and separation of rubber sole and oil lubricated floor tiles generated charge that significantly increased with increasing the hardness. Drastic decrease of charge for hard tiles generated by contact and separation with sand contaminated floor tiles. Electric static charge decreased with increasing the thickness of the dry tested tiles and slightly increased with increasing load. Water wet floor tiles displayed lower charge values than that observed for dry contact, while detergent sliding showed relatively higher charge. Oil lubricated floor tiles generated charge that significantly increased with increasing thickness, while sand caused drastic decrease in charge.

Hardness, Thickness, Recycled Rubber Tiles, Electric Static Charge, Contact and Separation

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