Antistatic finish
Also known as: Antistatic finish, ESD finish
Chemical or mechanical finish that reduces electrostatic buildup on textiles — essential for electronics workwear and synthetic fibre clothing.
Description
Synthetic fibres like polyester, polyacrylic and polyamide have very high electrical resistance and build up strong electrostatic charge through friction. This leads to dust attraction, standing hairs, cling on the body and — in the electronics industry — dangerous ESD discharges (up to 30,000 volts) that can destroy sensitive semiconductors.
Antistatic finishes work via two mechanisms: increasing surface conductivity (via hygroscopic quaternary ammonium compounds, polyethylene glycols or spun-in carbon filaments) or reducing friction (via silicone and fatty acid ester application). Internal antistatics are built into the polymer during fibre production, external ones are applied as wash bath additive or spray.
ESD workwear to EN 1149-5 (electrostatic dissipative capacity) contains spun-in carbon filaments in a grid of about 5-10 mm and is mandatory in semiconductor fabs, cleanrooms and explosion-hazardous areas (paint shops, chemical). Wash fastness of spun-in antistatic fibres remains permanent, external treatments last 5-50 washes depending on finish.
Properties
| Chemistry | Quat. ammonium, PEG or carbon fibre |
|---|---|
| Application | ESD workwear, cleanrooms, semiconductor fabs |
| Durability | Carbon fibre permanent, treatment 5-50 washes |
| Effect | EN 1149-5 electrostatic dissipative |
Related product categories
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Antistatikum Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antistatikum
