Electrostatic charge is electrical charge at rest. It is most commonly created by the contact and separation of two materials.

Electrostatic charge created by contact and separation of materials is known as triboelectric charge. It involves the transfer of electrons between materials. Negatively charged electrons are transferred from the surface of one material to the surface of the other. The material that loses electrons becomes positively charged, while the material that gains electrons becomes negatively charged. This electrostatic charge may be transferred from the material, creating an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event.