FAQ: How are static-dissipative and conductive properties added to flooring?

Unlike standard flooring, static control floors promote the flow of electricity—in other words, static charges flow across and through the floor to electrical ground. When people walk across a regular floor, the contact and separation between the floor and the soles of their shoes generates static. Regular flooring, which is electrically insulative – the opposite of conductive—cannot be grounded. As there is nowhere for the static to go, it builds on people and discharges to the first person or object they touch.

Walking Body Voltage
Walking Body Voltage

Static-control flooring transports—or dissipates—static electricity and other electrical currents to ground. Because of their conductivity, static-control floors can be grounded.

Most types of flooring can be made into a conductive or static-dissipative floor. The most common way to produce a static-control floor is to add carbon or graphite to the standard flooring formula.

ESD flooring demo
ESD flooring demo

Here are a few examples of how this is done:

Epoxy floors are made with liquid catalyst-driven resins. Carbon particulate or carbon fibers are added to the epoxy while it is in liquid form. Depending on the percentage of the additive, manufacturers can produce a highly conductive epoxy coating for explosives handling or, by adding slightly less of the additive, create a static-dissipative version for electronics handling applications.

Epoxy Generation 3 Cross-section
Epoxy Generation 3 Cross-section

ANSI/ESD compliant carpe tileStandard carpet tile, often made with insulative wool or nylon fibers, is a natural static generator. By wrapping carbon-loaded fibers around the tile’s nylon filaments, manufacturers turn a static-generating carpet into a static-control floor. 

Depending on the type of carbon fiber and the design of the carpet tile, it is possible to control the ohms resistance of the tile and create either static-dissipative or conductive flooring. 

Since carpet tiles are rarely used in explosives-handling operations (which require smooth, non-porous washable conductive flooring), most carpet tile applications are for light electronics assembly, labs and end user environments, better suited to the static-dissipative version.

Standard carpet tile, often made with insulative wool or nylon fibers, is a natural static generator. By wrapping carbon-loaded fibers around the tile’s nylon filaments, manufacturers turn a static-generating carpet into a static-control floor. 

Depending on the type of carbon fiber and the design of the carpet tile, it is possible to control the ohms resistance of the tile and create either static-dissipative or conductive flooring. 

ANSI/ESD compliant carpe tile

Since carpet tiles are rarely used in explosives-handling operations (which require smooth, non-porous washable conductive flooring), most carpet tile applications are for light electronics assembly, labs and end user environments, better suited to the static-dissipative version.

What is electrostatic discharge (ESD) Flooring?

This video provides an overview of static control flooring options:

Play Video
Play Video
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Reddit
Pinterest
Email

More FAQs

Photo shows an ongoing ESD epoxy flooring installation.

What is ESD flooring?

ESD floors dissipate static safely, protecting electronics from accidental damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) events.

Read More
Image shows a sheet of yellow stickers with a caution about electrostatic sensitive devices.

What does ESD mean?

ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. Minute ESD events, too small for humans to perceive, can damage electronic components.

Read More
Photo shows a circuit board with sparks between two components.

How can you prevent ESD?

Preventing ESD requires a well-thought-out ESD prevention program. What is required will be dependent on the application and environment.

Read More
Photo is of panelled wood flooring.

Is wood antistatic?

No, wood is not antistatic. You can learn which materials are antistatic and which are not by looking at our Triboelectric chart.

Read More
Image is an array of gray 3D question marks.

What are ESD guidelines?

Because different applications require different specifications for static control, ESD guidelines, or standards, vary across industries.

Read More
Play Video

StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity. ESD flooring is part of a system. Choices should always be based on objective, researched evidence. When you partner with us, we look at all possible items that may need to integrate with the floor, and, focusing on your goals and objectives, help you find the right floor for your application.