INTRODUCTION:

As the installer of new technological advances in the field of anti-static coatings and overlays, the following information is presented to provide the elementary knowledge needed to understand, specify, and install the newly developed products. Whether your restoration needs call for a 6 mil anti static sealer or a high build coating system, EP Floors has the products to achieve all your specified needs. Even more important is the certainty that these products are not surface modified coating systems; the same technology that makes them work, will not wear off or degrade with time. Once installed, these products provide permanent anti-static properties for the lifetime of the coating system. Now you can beautify while you protect with colors ranging from pastel grays to deep vivid blues, reds and greens. We even offer semi-transparent one coat sealers to meet the challenges of any environment.  

ELECTROSTATIC CHARGES:

Electrostatic charges can be induced from friction between two different kinds of material (between two non conductors or simply by common surface contact). Such charging takes place readily when most flooring material is walked on or driven over and these discharges can often be accompanied by sparks. As everyone is aware, in some industries, sparks can have devastating consequences. This hazard can be eliminated if our anti-static flooring system is the choice of the specifying engineer. These products meet the requirements of electrical conductivity as well as a high resistance to chemical attack and are designed for applications in such places as laboratories, chemical plants, painting manufacturers and anywhere where solvents are used. Additionally, some industries such as the electronics trade, require anti-static coatings for protecting electrical components from failure. When all else has failed, you will find that the use of the EP Floors product line will not be a shocking experience.

ANSI/ESD S7.1 definition

Conductive floor:    rtg (resistance to ground) of 25,000 -1 million ohms    (25,000-10⁶ohms).

Static dissipative floor:    rtg (resistance to ground) of  1million - 1 billion ohms  (10⁶ - 10⁹ ohms)

 LEAKOFF OF ELECTROSTATIC CHARGES:

The electrical discharge capacity of synthetic resin flooring is determined by measuring the ohmic resistance. As a rule, floors with a leakage resistance of 10⁺⁶ ohms are considered to be electrically conductive. However, each country has its own standards for how they rate this discharge capacity. For instance DIN 51953 applies in Germany, UL 779 applies in the United States and the British standard is 3398. However, many engineers have requirements far below those that are certifiable by organizations such as the Underwriters Laboratories, depending on the protection needed for their prospective environments. Although it is widely recognized in the industry that less than 10⁹ ohms of resistance is considered to be anti-static, the majority of our systems far surpass those requirements. As a matter of fact, the majority of our systems will provide anti-static characteristics in the range nearing that specified for UL certification. UL certification requires a discharge capacity of <1,000,000 ohms (10⁺⁶ ohms resistance) for conductive certification.

OUR NUMBERS AND WHAT THEY MEAN:

*For our EPF144C/324C our resistance average as tested = 1.72e⁺⁶

*For our EPF145CP sealer our resistance average as tested = 1.80e⁺⁵

                                                            *1.72e⁺⁶ ohms = 1.72 x 10⁺⁶ ohms = 1,720,000 ohms

                                                             *1.80e⁺⁵ ohms = 1.80 x 10⁺⁵ ohms = 180,000 ohms                    *testing performed on  4'x4' plywood panel.

As can be seen from the above information, our products performance meets specifications for conductive/anti-static performance. However, as explained earlier, ohms of resistance ranging from 1 to 1000+ Mega ohms are considered to be anti-static by many engineers for the purpose of reducing the hazard for spark generation. Many companies manufacture anti-static coating products exceeding 1.0e⁺⁹ (1,000,000,000 ohms).  

SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:

*Concrete is conductive because of the moisture content present in the concrete. However, the moisture content can be highly variable. That is why a primer such as our EPF144C or another suitable primer must be used to achieve proper anti-static characteristics below 1.0e⁺⁹ ohms. The primer increases the conductivity by decreasing the ohmic resistance. Although the EPF324C has anti-static characteristics, the full potential is not achieved without an appropriate primer. 

Finally, it should be pointed out that grounding the anti-static conductive system does improve the performance of the system by decreasing the ohmic resistance and charge buildup. The conductive primer is the product that should be grounded and not the topcoat or any underlayment placed prior to the primer. This is easily accomplished by grounding the coating with strips of copper or grounding straps connected to a water pipe or neutral conductor in the electric wiring system. Two earth grounding points normally suffice for a single room. One ground point per 200 square meters of floor space is the general rule for large areas when all individual slabs are connected with conductive copper strips or tape.

Grounding Diagram

Hopefully, the above information has given a basis of understanding of how, why and for what reasons anti-static coating systems work. However, if any further questions arise regarding this matter, feel free to direct your inquiries to your sales representative.

We have a diverse customer base. From Fortune 500 industrial companies to military/government agencies; from sole proprietorships to hi-tech start up firms.

STATIC DISSIPATIVE   

CONDUCTIVE

The old technology that relies on the "hit or miss" system of carbon fiber interlinking has now been made obsolete.

8 DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE  

TAILORED TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS !

Because ESD coatings differ in their characteristics and benefits, several different types of ESD products may be required in one facility. For example, areas with heavy tow motor traffic, light foot traffic, clean room assembly/manufacturing, solvent/chemical storage, and product handling may each require different types of ESD materials. Problems such as odor, moisture in new concrete, osmotic pressure, etc. also require an innovative product line. No one polymer type can handle all the conditions that can be experienced in the field.

(APW Electronics)