
What is the difference between a conductive and a dissipative material?
Conductive materials have a surface resistivity less than 1 x 10^5 Ω/sq or a volume resistivity less than 1 x 10^4 Ω-cm. Conductive materials are classified “Antistatic”. Dissipative materials: For these materials, the charges flow through the material slowly and in a somewhat more controlled manner than with conductive materials.
What is dissipative?
- Atexor Knowledge Base To dissipate means to scatter or disperse. In our context, dissipative is an electrical property of the materials we use in Ex luminaires. This property is commonly called ‘anti-static,’ but we prefer to not use that term, because, technically, conductive (see Conductive) materials are also anti-static.
What is a static dissipative material?
Static Dissipative Materials. Dissipative materials allow the charge to flow more slowly within the material for more control. Dissipative materials control the energy that comes out of the human body. Since the body is such a high conductor of energy, a static spark is easily dispersed using a dissipative plastic material.
What is the resistivity of dissipative materials?
Dissipative materials have a surface resistivity equal to or greater than 1 x 10^5 Ω/sq but less than 1 x 10^12 Ω/sq or a volume resistivity equal to or greater than 1 x 10^4 Ω-cm but less than 1 x 10^11 Ω-cm.2. Dissipative materials are classified “Antistatic” and are considered to be the ideal range for ESD materials.

What are electrostatic dissipative materials?
What Are Electrostatic-Dissipative Materials? Plastics are naturally insulative, making them resistant to electric charge – meaning that electricity cannot easily travel through pure plastics. Because plastic inhibits the flow of electrons, a static charge is unable to dissipate and can remain on the surface of an item for quite some time.
What is ESD in lab furniture?
To prevent possible damage or danger as a result of un-grounded electrostatics, lab furniture designers and manufacturers like to utilize electrostatic discharge materials (ESD) which are specifically designed to minimize risk. ESD workbenches minimize the risk of electrostatic charge by allowing electrons to slowly flow through them, ...
What is ESD material?
ESD materials are designed specifically to minimize the risks associated with electrostatic discharge by reducing the occurrence of static electricity or by channeling electrostatic energy and neutralizing it through a process of grounding. Various ESD materials are utilized for different purposes and have varying degrees of conductivity.
Why do they mix plastics with conductive additives?
Because plastics are naturally insulative, manufacturers of ESD materials mix plastics with a variety of conductive additives to reduce their resistance to create a path for electrostatic bleed-off and to prevent the buildup of electrons. Electrostatic discharge materials are typically divided into three basic sub-categories: Anti-static, conductive, and dissipative.
What materials are used in ESD?
Of the various types of ESD materials, electrostatic-dissipative materials are the most ideal for ESD environments. Created using a combination of insulative plastics and conductive metals, electrostatic-dissipative materials allow electric charges to flow slowly through the material while simultaneously reducing the energy output to prevent electrostatic discharge.
What material has low resistance?
Conductive materials have low electrical resistance, and allow electrons to flow quickly and easily over their surfaces. Conductive materials either ground static electric energy or transfer the charge to another conductive material.
What is antistatic material?
Anti-static materials are designed to prevent the creation and build-up of ‘triboelectric charging’, which occurs when two materials touch and transfer electrons. While insulative materials prevent the flow of electrons, anti-static materials prevent them from ever building or collecting on the surface of an item.
What is dissipative in electrical?
Dissipative. To dissipate means to scatter or disperse. In our context, dissipative is an electrical property of the materials we use in Ex luminaires. This property is commonly called ‘anti-static,’ but we prefer to not use that term, because, technically, conductive (see Conductive) materials are also anti-static.
Is non-metallic a dissipative material?
Non-metallic does not equal non-dissipative. You need to test the surface resistance of the material to ensure it is actually safe. According to IEC 60079-0, if the resistance is below 1 Gohm (10 9 ohms) in specified conditions (moisture, etc.), the material is free of static charge risk.
A Controlled Static Dissipative Fabric
Crohmiq static fabric is tested according to ISO/IEC 61340-4-4 under a wide variety of test conditions to dissipate static in a controlled manner. The company’s focus was not solely on how to dissipate static.
Static Fabrics that Eliminate Grounding
Without Crohmiq static protective FIBCs, powder processing operations would require a method for grounding the flexible bags to dissipate static build-up between the bags surface and the movement of the powder – which can reach vast quantities that can cause an explosion in hazardous locations.
Increased Safety in Hazardous Locations
When granulated products are stored and transported in the presence of hazardous materials, static dissipative materials can protect against and prevent incendiary sparks by releasing a low-energy discharge into the atmosphere.
How much resistivity does a dissipative material have?
Dissipative materials have a surface resistivity equal to or greater than 1 x 10 5 Ω/sq but less than 1 x 10 12 Ω/sq or a volume resistivit y equal to or greater than 1 x 10 4 Ω-cm but less than 1 x 10 11 Ω-cm.2
What happens when a plastic material is in contact with a body?
This electrostatic voltage may then discharge via an arc or spark when the plastic material comes in contact with a body at a sufficiently different potential, such as a person or microcircuit.
What does the ESD symbol mean?
The ESD susceptibility symbol incorporates a reaching hand in a triangle with a slash through it and is used to indicate that an electrical or electronic device or assembly is susceptible to damage from an ESD event.
What is ESD in electrical?
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) The sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short, or dielectric breakdown. A buildup of static electricity can be caused by tribocharging or by electrostatic induction.
What is volume resistivity?
Volume resistivity is tested in a similar fashion to surface resistivity, however electrodes are placed on opposite faces of a test sample. ASTM D257 also refers to volume resistivity, and a conversion factor again based on electrode dimensions and part thickness is used to obtain the resistivity value from a resistance reading. [Volume resistivity is equal to resistance times the surface area (cm 2) divided by the thickness of the part (cm) yielding ohm-cm.]
What is the resistance of an insulation material?
Insulative materials have a high electrical resistance and are difficult to ground. Static charges remain in place on these materials for a very long time. Insulative materials are defined as those having a surface resistivity of at least 1 x 10 12 Ω/sq or a volume resistivity of at least 1 x 10 11 Ω-cm.
What happens when a material has low electrical resistance?
With a low electrical resistance, electrons flow easily across the surface or through the bulk of these materials. Charges go to ground or to another conductive object that the material contacts or comes close to. Conductive materials have a surface resistivity less than 1 x 10 5 Ω/sq or a volume resistivity less than 1 x 10 4 Ω-cm.
What are the three types of plastics that prevent or protect against ESD?
There are three categories of plastics that prevent or protect against ESD: antistatic, static-dissipative, and conductive.
Is ESD dangerous?
ESD can be harmful and dangerous, both for electrical equipment and anyone who comes into contact with it. When a sensitive electrical component comes into contact with ESD, it can result in permanent damage and costly downtime as the equipment is repaired or replaced.

What Is Static Electricity?
Electrostatic Discharge Materials
- ESD materials are designed specifically to minimize the risks associated with electrostatic discharge by reducing the occurrence of static electricity or by channeling electrostatic energy and neutralizing it through a process of grounding. Various ESD materials are utilized for different purposes and have varying degrees of conductivity. ESD mater...
Uses of Electrostatic-dissipative Materials
- Static electricity can wreak havoc in many controlled, scientific, and technical environments. Magnetic data and sensitive electronics can easily become damaged by the transfer of electrons, which is why many facilities handling vulnerable equipment and technology choose electrostatic-dissipative materials when designing their furniture. Similarly, labs, educational environments, a…