Usual plastics are insulating materials subjected to electrostatic build-up and discharge depending on the surface resistivity of the part. Numerous antistatic solutions are examined from oldest ones such non-black organic additives or carbon blacks up to newest ones such as CNTs, Metal-plated carbon fibres, ICPs or IDPs, Graphene. Among new solutions, CNTs are fast growing and expensive despite a continuous cost drop but percolation levels can be inferior to 1%. The offer is spreading as displayed by quoted examples.
Metal-plated carbon fibers are now available allowing to meet demanding electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical requirements of automotive, marine and aerospace applications. For example, parts molded with metal-plated carbon fiber reinforced polyamides outperform aluminum at certain frequencies while delivering a 50 to 60% percent reduction in weight. Inherently conductive polymers (ICP) are the most exciting opportunities. For example PEDOT, polyaniline and so on are proposed by several companies to be alloyed with conventional plastics including ABS as well as composites, polyamides or TPEs
Greener solutions use natural-sourced antistatic polymers and additives, for example Gaïalene®, Mater-Bi®, hybrid compounds, and natural antistatic specialities. Of course, oldest antistatic systems remain operational and, in addition, can be combined with innovative solutions to optimize answers to harshest requirements. Organic non-black additives can be Amides, Amines, Esters, Quaternary ammonium salts, Soaps of fatty acids migrating to the surface and absorbing atmospheric moisture to reduce surface resistivity. Conventional and Conductive carbon blacks, Conductive fibers (carbon and steel fibers), graphite, metal powders or flakes (Aluminium, copper, nickel, silver etc.) are industrially used to make the plastics and composites conductive. The resistivity of the final material depends on the chemical nature, size, aspect ratio and loading level of the used filler, the mixing and processing methods, and the nature of the polymer. The properties of the final material, color, modulus, impact strength can be altered. If the plastic cannot be modified, neutralization or elimination of static electricity can be achieved thanks to more or less sophisticated equipment from simple Antistatic carbon brushes up to Corona surface treatments.