Covering your work surface with ESD material is a basic step in ESD prevention. With a proper ESD worksurface, static is safetly removed from items placed on the surface. There are several types materials used, but the most common is 2 layer ESD rubber. ESD rubber is constructed with a rugged dissipative top layer and a conductive black bottom layer. For ESD purposes, materials are classified by their resistance to the movement of electricity. The dissipative top surface allows charges to drain from its surface in a controlled manner, sending it to the bottom conductive layer. The conductive bottom layer has a low electrical resistance and quickly sends the charge to ground via a ground cord that includes a current limiting resistor for safety. The top layer is also extremely durable, offering excellent resistance to hot solders, soldering irons and most solvents.

Transforming Technologies has the most cost effective ESD work surface rubber available.  The MT4500 series is a smooth rubber surface in light blue, royal blue, gray and green.  The MT-Textured series ESD-safe 2-layer rubber matting is made of 100% co-extruded rubber with a textured surface in light blue, royal blue and gray.

Contact Transforming Technologies for your work surface rubber needs.

For ESD purposes, materials are classified by their resistance to the movement of electricity. The following ranges and definitions are found in ESD Association or EIA standards publications:

Conductive materials: With a low electrical resistance, electrons flow easily across the surface or through the bulk of these materials. Charges go to ground or to another conductive object that the material contacts or comes close to. Conductive materials have a surface resistivity less than 1 x 10^5 Ω/sq or a volume resistivity less than 1 x 10^4 Ω-cm.

Dissipative materials: For these materials, the charges flow to ground more slowly and in a somewhat more con-trolled manner than with conductive materials. Dissipative materials have a surface resistivity equal to or greater than 1 x 105 Ω/sq but less than 1 x 10^12 Ω/sq or a volume resistivity equal to or greater than 1 x 10^4 Ω-cm but less than 1 x 10^11 Ω-cm.2

Insulative materials: Insulative materials prevent or limit the flow of electrons across their surface or through their volume. Insulative materials have a high electrical resistance and are difficult to ground. Static charges remain in place on these materials for a very long time. Insulative materials are defined as those having a surface resistivity of at least 1 x 1012 Ω/sq or a volume resistivity of at least 1 x 1011 Ω-cm.

How to Measure Surface Resistivity
The SRM320 Surface Resistance Meter is an easy to use tester for measuring surface resistivity. This SRM 320 uses parallel electrodes and concentric rings to accurately measure RTT, RTG, or resistivity for periodic verification, factory audits or test lab evaluation of product.

This meter is designed to be used in all facets of material production including engineering, maintenance, quality control, incoming inspection, manufacturing, research, or sales departments for the testing of anti-static mats, floor finishes, paints, wrist straps, smocks, foot wear, bags and containers.

The SRM310 meets periodic test requirements per Compliance Verification ESD TR53 and conforms to ANSI/EOS/ESD (S4.1, S7.1, S12.1, S2.1).

Here at Transforming Technologies, we routinely receive phone calls and emails this time of year asking us how to prevent statics shocks around the home. While we love to help people when we can, the solutions and products we provide are geared more for manufacturing and the electronics fields.  This is why I was very excited to read the popular blog Lifehacker explain common ways to eliminate static shocks in the home.

“One of the easiest ways to avoid static shock is to pay attention to what you’re wearing and what kind of fabrics make up the furniture in your house. For example, Electrostatics.net notes that rubber-soled shoes are great insulators, and will build up a lot of static in your body when combined with a wool or nylon carpet. Instead, try walking around in leather soled shoes, or cotton socks instead of wool socks. Leather soled shoes are also great for grocery shopping, since shopping carts can often cause lots of static electricity.

Similarly, wool sweaters are common offenders, especially in the dry winter (when you usually wear them). If you sit in a chair made out of the right fabric, you’ll build up quite a bit of static. Again, cotton is going to be much more friendly, so try wearing cotton clothes when you want to avoid nasty shocks. Certain furniture covers or antistatic sprays can help alleviate this problem, too.

You may have also noticed that often, when you get out of your car, you get a shock when you touch the door. You might have even heard that touching the door frame as you get out of the car can help, and that’s true. Make sure you start holding the metal frame before you get out of the car, and you keep touching it until you’re out of the seat completely. If you forget to do this, you can also touch the car door with your keys. Since the electricity will discharge through them, you won’t feel a shock”

Read the full article for more tips on avoiding static shocks in the dry air of the winter months.