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.

A diagram in three panels showing how walking body voltage works. The first panel shows someone walking across the floor and a build up of static. The text reads "1. Friction between the soles of shoes and the surface of the floor causes a transfer of electrons, leaving a positive charge on one surface and a negative charge on the other. This is called a triboelectric charge, or static electricity." The second panel shows a further build up of static electricity. The text reads: "As the person walks, static accumulates on the body. Humans can’t feel static until the charge reaches 3500 volts." The final panel shows someone at a desk touching electric equipment with a charge on their hand/arm. The text reads:" Static stays in place until the person touches someone or something, then the charge transfers, or discharges, to the other person or object. A static charge as low as 20 volts can damage or destroy sensitive electronic components."
A diagram in three panels showing how walking body voltage works. The first panel shows someone walking across the floor and a build up of static. The text reads "1. Friction between the soles of shoes and the surface of the floor causes a transfer of electrons, leaving a positive charge on one surface and a negative charge on the other. This is called a triboelectric charge, or static electricity." The second panel shows a further build up of static electricity. The text reads: "As the person walks, static accumulates on the body. Humans can’t feel static until the charge reaches 3500 volts." The final panel shows someone at a desk touching electric equipment with a charge on their hand/arm. The text reads:" Static stays in place until the person touches someone or something, then the charge transfers, or discharges, to the other person or object. A static charge as low as 20 volts can damage or destroy sensitive electronic components."

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.

Illustration demonstrating how ESD flooring works. The diagram shows cut off legs/foot standing on a conductive tile (labelled conductive tile with carbon pathways). A zoomed in cross-section is labelled "tile cross section: carbon veins". The next layer down is labelled "conductive adhesive". The next layer is labelled "concrete". From the conductive adhesive, copper stripping is shown with a grounding symbol and the label "connect to AC or bldg. ground". The diagram shows an electrical charge being carried from the person throw the conductive tile to the conductive adhesive and then along the copper stripping to ground.
Illustration demonstrating how ESD flooring works. The diagram shows cut off legs/foot standing on a conductive tile (labelled conductive tile with carbon pathways). A zoomed in cross-section is labelled "tile cross section: carbon veins". The next layer down is labelled "conductive adhesive". The next layer is labelled "concrete". From the conductive adhesive, copper stripping is shown with a grounding symbol and the label "connect to AC or bldg. ground". The diagram shows an electrical charge being carried from the person throw the conductive tile to the conductive adhesive and then along the copper stripping to ground.

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.

Illustration labelled “Generation 3 Available in many colors” showing a cross section of installed generation 3 epoxy coating. The illustration shows cropped legs/feet standing on ESD epoxy (labelled “high gloss coating”). A zoomed in cross section shows particles in the surface and is labelled “paint cross section: nanoparticles”. The next layer is labelled “insulative primer”. Underneath that is a layer labelled “concrete subfloor”. A strip - labelled “copper stripping” - runs from the insulative primer layer. A charge is shown travelling from the feet through the floor to the copper stripping on the insulative primer to ground (labelled “connect to AC or building ground”). The text above the illustration reads “electrically conductive nanoparticles suspended in the epoxy draw static electricity across the surface of the floor and transport charges to ground–with no need for a buried conductive primer. The text underneath the illustration reads “Nano technologies produce fully conductive colorized topcoats (colored and clear). This translates into a floor that requires a standard concrete primer and conductive topcoat.
Illustration labelled “Generation 3 Available in many colors” showing a cross section of installed generation 3 epoxy coating. The illustration shows cropped legs/feet standing on ESD epoxy (labelled “high gloss coating”). A zoomed in cross section shows particles in the surface and is labelled “paint cross section: nanoparticles”. The next layer is labelled “insulative primer”. Underneath that is a layer labelled “concrete subfloor”. A strip - labelled “copper stripping” - runs from the insulative primer layer. A charge is shown travelling from the feet through the floor to the copper stripping on the insulative primer to ground (labelled “connect to AC or building ground”). The text above the illustration reads “electrically conductive nanoparticles suspended in the epoxy draw static electricity across the surface of the floor and transport charges to ground–with no need for a buried conductive primer. The text underneath the illustration reads “Nano technologies produce fully conductive colorized topcoats (colored and clear). This translates into a floor that requires a standard concrete primer and conductive topcoat.

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:

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Read: Conductive vs Dissipative Flooring: Does It Matter?
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A completed installation of ShadowFX static-dissipative (ESD) carpet tile (Fields & Stone range) in a lobby
A completed installation of AmeriWorx conductive (ESD) vinyl tile flooring in an electronics manufacturing facility
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An in progress installation of GroundWorx Ultra generation 3 ESD epoxy flooring in an electronics manufacturing and assembly facility.
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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.