Particles may cling to a specific surface with a force 107 times as strong as gravity. This is caused by electrostatic forces and by the weight of the particles, but most of all by Van-der-Waals forces. They are based on an irregular distribution of electric charges within a molecule itself. As there is neither a deficit nor a surplus in electric charges, a ionisation of the surrounding air cannot eliminate these forces.

The Ingromat™ system uses forces of capillary attraction that form between the micro-moistened filament and the particle. In the chart, you can see the capillary force and the total adhesive force that is the sum of the Van-der-Waals force, the particle weight and the electrostatic force. The chart also shows total adhesive force in relation to the particle’s diameter. Up to a particle of 2000 µm, the capillary force is bigger than total adhesive force, i.e. the particle will cling to the filament. Thus, it will be removed reliably from the surface.

Chart:Adhesive forces in relation to the particle’s diameter (calculated for combination metal surface to synthetic particles)