What does "antistatic material" really mean? - Blog

This article was written by PREMIX’s static electricity control specialists, in collaboration with Cascade Metrology.

It is based on exchanges with Toni ViheriäkoskiESD expert at Cascade Metrology, and Pasi Seppäläfrom PREMIX, who share their expertise on terminology, performance and the fundamental differences between temporary antistatic additives and permanent antistatic (or dissipative) materials.

As part of our partnership with PREMIX, we share this technical information, making it easily accessible to our customers and industrial partners.

What does “antistatic material” really mean? And why is it so confusing? “Antistatic material” is one of the most widely used, yet misunderstood, terms in plastics and manufacturing. We hear it in packaging, electronics, logistics, healthcare and even consumer goods. But in technical contexts such as protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) and explosive atmospheres (ATEX/EX), experts warn that the term should not be used at all.

Why is the term “antistatic material” so confusing?

Toni : Because it’s used in so many sectors without a coherent definition. Marketing teams love the word “antistatic” because it sounds simple: a material that “prevents static electricity”. But in regulated environments, the term is inaccurate and imprecise.

In ESD control, ATEX environments or standardization (IEC, ANSI/ESD), the word “antistatic” is rarely used, as it is incorrectly used and not defined in electronics industry standards. These materials can act as charge dissipation paths and prevent charge build-up.

Pasi Yes, and that’s the problem. It sounds simple and easy to understand, but the subject is more complex. That’s why experts prefer to use more specific terms such as “dissipative” or “conductive”, which are defined.

What do we generally mean when we talk about “antistatic materials”?

Toni : The rationale varies from sector to sector: in public spaces, antistatic materials are used to reduce unpleasant sensations and dust attraction, while in the electronics industry they are used to reduce the build-up of charges that can increase the risk of damage from electrostatic discharge.

Pink PE bags are often referred to as “antistatic bags”.

Pasi Pink bags are a perfect example: they contain chemical additives that migrate to the surface. These additives absorb moisture from the air.

This moisture forms a temporary conductive layer. Consequently, “antistatic” is often a temporary surface treatment that reduces the build-up of static electricity and is highly dependent on ambient humidity. Performance cannot be guaranteed for the entire life of the product, and is likely to be poorer in cold, dry climates.

How do antistatic additives work? And what are their limitations?

Pasi Common antistatic additives are chemicals that move (i.e. migrate) to the surface of products.

They are somewhat incompatible with polymer chemistry.
The non-compatible part migrates to the surface over time.
Ambient humidity adheres to the surface and becomes capable of dissipating electrostatic charges.

This mechanism works, but has some obvious limitations:

1) They need moisture to work efficiently.

When humidity is low, the moisture layer is less dense, or even non-existent. These surface-active ingredients can also react with other substances present.

2) Performance changes over time.

As additives migrate to the surface, the concentration within the polymer decreases. As materials age and wear, the effective ingredients are depleted and, at some point, the surface can no longer regenerate.

3) Resistivity ranges are limited.

Typical resistance levels are around 10^10 to 10^12 ohms.

4) Problems related to regulations and factory certifications.

Since performance depends on humidity, handling, surface wear, time and the success of the conversion process, there are many sources of failure. EX zones also require a surface resistance of less than 1 GOhm (or 10^9 ohms), which is difficult to achieve with migratory solutions.

What about antistatic or permanently dissipative materials?

Toni The term “antistatic” is outdated in the electronics industry. Permanent ESD control solutions work in a totally different way to antistatic materials. They form a permanent conductive network inside the plastic.

This means:

Performance is integrated, not just applied to the surface.
No functional agent migration.
Relatively low dependence on humidity.
Resistivity is generally stable throughout the product’s lifetime.

Pasi As conductivity comes from the very structure of the material, the performance of PRE-ELEC® compounds is permanent and reproducible. This is why these materials are used in ESD trays, ATEX enclosures and other critical applications. Electrically conductive carbon black or intrinsically dissipative polymers (IDPs) offer a wide resistivity range down to 10^11 Ω. The most conductive carbon-based solutions we offer are in the range of a few ohms, making them suitable even for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding purposes.

What terminology should we use instead of “antistatic materials”?

Toni : Here’s a simple rule: When we talk about permanent static control, the following terms are more appropriate:

Electrostatic dissipative
Electrostatic conductor
Electrostatic control materials

The term “antistatic” should not be used in the electronics industry.

Pasi Clear terminology makes life easier for everyone: designers, engineers, buyers and safety managers.

What does Premix offer for permanent static electricity control?

Pasi PRE-ELEC® compounds and concentrates offer :

Permanent static control properties.
Stable resistivity (10^0 Ω to 10^11 Ω).
- Carbon solutions up to 10^8 Ω
- IDP products from 10^8 Ω to 10^11 Ω

A wide range of polymers
- e.g. PP, PS, PE, PA, PC/ABS, PBT, TPU, TPE

Des performances fiables pour
- electrostatic control
- protection against electromagnetic problems (cables, EMI)
- sensor applications (pipette tips, portable electronic devices)

And because we tailor materials to our customers’ needs, we can meet specific objectives in terms of resistivity, mechanical requirements, processing needs, durability targets and other essential requirements.

Conclusion

The term “antistatic material” may sound simple, but it hides a great deal of complexity. Using the right terminology ensures safety, compliance and the right choice of material from the outset. The more we clarify this in the industry, the better decisions ESD coordinators, engineers, designers and procurement teams can make.

POLYMIX distributes PREMIX solutions and supports its customers in their choice of dissipative or conductive materials for ESD, ATEX and industrial applications.

👉 Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any technical questions or require a solution.

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