Most polymers are generally insulating. Electrostatic build-up and discharges are widespread, leading to numerous issues of very various seriousness, from minor to very serious and even dreadful ones:
1. Dust and other pollutant attraction with marketing, use and processing problems, notably for continuous processing of plastics such as films.
2. Electrostatic build-up or discharges when touching the plastic parts: synthetic carpets, knobs, car handles; Electronic manufacturing, handling and repairing.
3. Painting defects.
4. Fire or explosion of inflammable or explosive environment, fine organic powders, solvents...: Packaging of dusty organic materials, electrostatic discharge of car fuel lines leading to fires, lightning and interferences for planes, healthcare, operating theatre, painting shops...
Antistatic behaviour, electrostatic build-up and discharge (see figure 'Surface-Resistivity-of-Dissipative-Polymers') depend on the surface resistivity of the part. Generally, antistatic or ESD polymers have:
A surface resistivity in a range from 105 or 106 up to 1012 ohms.