General
In manufacturing plastics, Static electricity becomes a great problem, because with very few exceptions plastic are highly insulating. Anti-static Additives is produced from anti-static materials. It is used mainly to eliminate spark discharges and to minimize or prevent the accumulation of surface dust and dirt. And help the production process more efficient.
Anti-static additives are added to plastics to reduce or eliminate a static build up. Anti-static additives work by lowering the resistivity of a material so that charges are mobile and therefore will not cause static issues such as dust attraction or electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Types
Anti-static additives are available as both internal and external additives. Internal anti-static additives can be incorporated and blended into the polymer at the extrusion level. During this process the additive is blended homogeneously with the polymer to provide the much-needed surface resistivity required for electronics packaging. As the material cools, the additive migrates to the surface and begins to pick up moisture from the surrounding environment. Internal additives are dispersed at the molecular level, so the conductivity, migration rate, and reaction time depend on it’s hydrophilic backbone made of amine, amide or ester groups. As internal anti-stat additives depend on moisture for functionality – the higher the humidity in the admosphere, the better the anti-stat properties will be.
In contrast, external additives can be easily dissolved in a solvent and are sprayed or coated on to the plastic. With an external additive, the additive performs the same way but because it is a topical coating and not blended with the material, there is a risk that the additive can be rubbed off rendering the product ineffective.
Applications
Fillplas‘s Anti-static Additives cover applications in many industries, such as:
– In automotive: For fuel systems, electrical and electronic parts, and engine components.
– With electronics: for electronic goods such as computer, printers, photocopiers and other office equipment,…
– About packaging: packing of food, drugs, medical supplies,..
