Please enter the product name you are looking for

Image Source: shutterstock

In today's world of advanced electronics, electrostatic protection is more important than ever. The electrical resistance of materials affects both reliability and performance in different uses. These properties fall into four categories: antistatic, dissipative, conductive, and insulative.
Electrostatic effects are common in daily life and industrial settings, especially in dry air, where electrostatic discharge (ESD) is more frequent. ESD can harm semiconductor parts and cause brief and intense electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can disrupt sensitive electronics.
Knowing how a material's electrical resistance links to static electricity and EMI is key to creating reliable devices. This article explains the terms "anti-static," "dissipative," "conductive," and "insulative" and highlights their importance in various uses.

Definitions of Key Terms
Anti-Static
•    Definition: Anti-static materials prevent the accumulation of static electricity on surfaces.
•    Key Characteristics: They reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD) but do not actively dissipate charges.
•    Applications: Ideal for environments where static electricity could damage sensitive electronic components or ignite sparks.
•    Examples: Anti-static bags used for electronic component packaging.

Static Dissipative
•    Definition: Dissipative materials allow charges to safely dissipate to the ground at a controlled rate.
•    Key Characteristics: Their resistance falls between that of conductive and insulative materials, ensuring safe charge release while preventing damage to electrostatic-sensitive devices.
•    Applications: Commonly used in electronics manufacturing environments, work surfaces, or antistatic packaging.
•    Examples: Grounding straps for antistatic workstations.
Conductive
•    Definition: Conductive materials enable free movement of charges across their surface or through their volume.
•    Key Characteristics: Extremely low resistance, making them ideal for directing charges.
•    Applications: Used in grounding systems to direct electric charges or as conductive components in electronic systems.
•    Examples: Metallic conductors in grounding wires or carbon-enhanced materials.
Insulative 
•    Definition: Insulative materials inhibit charge movement and prevent the flow of electrical current.
•    Key Characteristics: Extremely high resistance, suited for electrical isolation and protection.
•    Applications: Used to prevent electrical shocks or to isolate electrical components.
•    Examples: Rubber gloves, plastic casings, and ceramic insulators.
 

Measurement of Electrical Resistance

Electrical resistance is categorized into surface resistance and volume resistance, reflecting the material's conductive properties on the surface and within its interior, respectively.

• Surface Resistance:
  Measured using the probe method, electrodes are placed on the sample's surface, and the ratio of voltage to current is recorded to determine resistance.
• Volume Resistance:
  Measured by sandwiching the sample between two electrodes. A voltage is applied across the electrodes, and the resulting current is measured to calculate the material's volume resistance.

These tests require precision instruments and are influenced by factors such as sample geometry, environmental temperature, and humidity. Therefore, measurements must be conducted under standardized conditions to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Link Upon Conductive PEEK bolts

Image Source: Link Upon Advanced Material Corp.

 

Understanding Resistance Values
According to standards such as ANSI/ESD S20.20 and IEC 61340-5-1, electrical resistance values are categorized as follows:

Supplementary Notes
•    Antistatic Materials: While commonly defined as having a resistance range of 10⁹ - 10¹² Ω, the term often refers to materials treated for antistatic properties, not necessarily within a specific resistance range.
•    Other Materials:
o    Metal: Typically <10⁻³ Ω (extremely conductive).
o    Carbon Powder and Fiber: 10⁻³ - 10² Ω (moderately conductive).
These classifications help in selecting appropriate materials for applications involving static control, electrical insulation, or conductivity.

Why Antistatic Measures Are Essential in Semiconductor Manufacturing
In semiconductor manufacturing, static electricity is a hidden threat. Even tiny electrostatic discharges (ESD) can damage sensitive parts, cause circuit failures, and lower product quality.

Semiconductor components are very small and fragile, so even a little static can cause permanent harm. To prevent this, manufacturers use antistatic clothing, static-dissipative floors, and equipment to control static buildup.

These steps help protect products and reduce losses, ensuring a stable and safe production environment for advanced technologies.

________________________________________
Engineering Plastics for Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment

Image Source: shutterstock

 

Modified engineering plastics with antistatic or static dissipative properties are widely used in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Here are common categories and their applications:
•    Antistatic Polycarbonate (PC):
o    Applications: Used for dust covers and transparent windows where visibility is required.
o    Features: Effectively reduces static attraction, ensuring the cleanliness of internal equipment environments.
•    Static Dissipative Polyoxymethylene (POM):
o    Applications: Commonly used in sliders and guide rails to mitigate static effects on sensitive components and extend equipment lifespan.
o    Features: Achieved through fillers or blending, as POM is inherently crystalline. However, its performance may degrade over time or with humidity changes. Stability and durability of static dissipative properties require close attention.
•    Static Dissipative Polyetheretherketone (PEEK):
o    Applications: Ideal for wafer boxes, carriers, and fixtures in chemical solvent contact environments.
o    Features: Combines high thermal resistance with static dissipative properties.
•    Static Dissipative Polyetherimide (PEI):
o    Applications: Suitable for durable high-temperature components such as sockets or structural brackets.
o    Features: Offers stable static dissipative performance after modification.
These materials help ensure the stability, reliability, and longevity of manufacturing equipment in high-tech environments by addressing static electricity concerns.
A thorough understanding of material resistivity characteristics aids in selecting appropriate materials to enhance both product safety and performance. Whether it’s preventing static-related damage or ensuring electrical insulation, correct application is key to achieving high-reliability designs.
Link Upon is committed to the application of developing engineering plastic materials. With three decades of professional experience in the polymer industry, it provides customers with instant professional industry knowledge and solutions. For application-specific needs, please contact us. customer-services@linkupon.com