Sri Vasavi Pigments ANTISTATIC MB 01(SV 91A001AS)

Static charges can be generated during processing, transportation, filling, or any handling of the plastic part. The primary problems caused by static charges are:

• Dust pick-up – which can give dull appearance on surface of finish goods
• Electrostatic Discharge – which can damage electronic equipment or cause sparking in hazardous environments

Electrostatic charges are commonly generated by frictional contact between two materials with different susceptibilities to electron loss. One material loses electron and becomes positively charged. The other gains electron and with them, a negative charge. The magnitude of the charge depends on the degree of contact and on its electrical properties such as dielectric constant, resistivity etc. It also depends upon surrounding medium, moist air being more effective than dry air.

Antistatic masterbatches are used to prevent these charges. These masterbatches based on fatty acid ester type of antistatic agents, neutralize the charges deposited on the surface of the polymer.
They work by migrating additives to the surface of the polymer. It functions usually in a molecular or multi-molecular layer and attracts water molecules from the atmosphere. The water lowers the surface resistivity from the approximate value of 10^14 – 10^15 ohms for most polymers (including styrene’s and polyolefins) to 10^11- 10^8 ohm. Normal addition levels with 10% active content masterbatch are 3-5%.