ESD Conductive Coatings
Professional Concrete Flooring Solutions offers the latest in ESD/conductive flooring solutions. We work with a variety of manufacturers that provide us with systems that meet the industry’s standard of excellence.
ESD/Conductive Flooring is used in the following industries:
• Electronics
• Electronics assembly
• Military facilities
• Solvent manufacturing facilities
• All XP environments
• Pharmaceutical facilities
We represent and install a complete assortment of ESD floor coating options
ESD Primers-
Choose from conductive or static dissipative primers. The product inserts deep into the concrete or vinyl tile to ensure safety and quality.
ESD Coatings-
Customize the floor to meet your facility’s needs and preferences. Choose the ESD range, chemical exposure, and aesthetics of the floor. Depending on the different level of usage and protection needed in the facility, some areas may require different levels of ESD coatings. For example, areas that see light foot traffic need lesser protection than areas that endure vehicle usage. Professional Concrete Flooring Solutions offers a wide range of ESD coatings to best serve you.
Chemical Resistant ESD Coatings-
Choose this system for additional protection from chemicals and static.
ESD Flooring FAQs
What is the difference between static dissipative and conductive flooring?
It is important to understand that an ESD floor should never be purchased based upon whether it is called “dissipative” or “conductive.” These terms are inappropriate for specifying permanent static control flooring. Ideally a floor should be specified based upon both its propensity to tribo-charge people and its electrical resistance to ground (measured in ohms or megohms) when installed. Descriptions like “dissipative” and “conductive” do not adequately describe these properties.
When evaluating an ESD floor for its ability to control static, ESD engineers verify that:
1) The floor will not generate more than 100V when someone walks on it;
2) The total system resistance of the person, footwear, walking surface and ground is less than or equal to 3.5 x 107 or 35 meg-ohms maximum.
Would I be better off with an antistatic or a conductive floor?
The answer to this question is similar to that of the previous question. The word “antistatic” does not designate some special electrical resistance range. “Antistatic” merely refers to a material’s propensity to charge other materials during contact and separation. If a floor has anti-static properties, it means that under a particular set of circumstances—say, a person walking across the floor wearing Rockport walking shoes—a significant static charge does not build up. If that same person walked across that same antistatic floor wearing leather-soled or athletic footwear, however, a static event might occur. If we were to focus on a particular set of conditions, as just described, we could end up with a floor that works only under those conditions, creating a situation that would be difficult to monitor or control. For this reason, we look at antistatic properties as part of a much bigger picture that includes electrical resistance to ground and tribo-charging performance at low relative humidity.
How are floors made to be conductive?
Most ESD floors are rendered electrically conductive by adding, blending or weaving carbon and graphite into standard flooring materials. Epoxy coating manufacturers utilize several different methods for making the coatings conductive, including: fiber technology, conductive aggregate additives, carbon and graphite particulate blending and sometimes a combination of several in the same coating.
How long do conductive properties last?
This is an interesting question. A quality product should provide a lifetime of service. Likewise, conductive properties should last for the life of the product. Some “dissipative’ vinyl products, however, require regular recoating with anti-static floor finish in order to maintain acceptable electrical properties. These should be avoided unless the solution does not need to be a long-term one. Some ESD carpets require periodic applications of a topical treatment containing antistat. The problem with applying the antistat is that the maintenance crew doesn’t always know when it is time to reapply the antistat or when the humidity conditions might be too low for adequate performance from a surface additive. Fortunately, there are many products that will provide unlimited electrical performance without any use of maintenance additives. Make sure you read the fine print.
If something is anti-static, does that mean it will conduct electricity?
As stated in the earlier question, “anti-static” and “conductive” are mutually exclusive terms. “Antistatic” has to do with properties involved in charging materials when they contact and separate. Conductive properties refer to the ability of a material to conduct an electrical charge.
Could a conductive floor endanger people working with electrical equipment?
As long as the ESD flooring has a resistance to ground of over 25,000 ohms, the floor can be used in most factory and hospital situations. Operating rooms, which often house electrical defibrillation equipment, require floors to have resistance to ground ratings of over 25k ohms. A simple calculation that takes into consideration the highest voltage and current of electrical equipment used in a particular application will determine what is and what is not safe. But most standards recognize the 25k ohm number as a safe lower parameter.
Do ESD tiles need to touch in order to be grounded?
Electrical bonding between ESD floor tiles is achieved from the conductive adhesive and not as a result of individual tile to tile contact. The adhesives used in conductive installations are highly conductive and provides excellent continuity across the entire floor. Conductive adhesives take the place of so-called copper grounding grids beneath the floor. The conductive adhesive must be attached to some form of ground to meet relevant specifications.
How does relative humidity affect the performance of an ESD floor?
Static generation occurs more easily when the climate is dry. Static also stores better on surfaces when the air is dry. Sometimes an ESD floor will appear to perform when the humidity is over 40 percent. This is quite normal with carpet. Any ESD carpet should be tested at least as low as 12 percent relative humidity. Unless the carpet is loaded with carbon fibers, most carpets will fail below 20 percent RH.
Can new floors be installed over old?
This is one of those questions that should be answered only by a qualified flooring professional, based upon either a site inspection or a lengthy conversation. Almost any floor can be installed over an old floor as long as the old floor is in good condition and well-bonded to the sub floor. Some floors are much easier and less risky to install over old floors.
Why should I worry about moisture/vapor transmission protection with ESD flooring?
Moisture permeation through concrete slabs can wreak havoc with all types of flooring. Several years ago, the Rubber Association determined that levels exceeding 3 pounds of moisture per 1000 square feet per 24 hour period caused serious problems, such as delamination, adhesive breakdown and adhesive oozing. High moisture can also lead to the development of bacteria and molds, which, in addition to causing foul odors, contribute to sick building syndrome. The industry standard test for moisture permeation is the calcium chloride test. The test is simple and accurate. For the reasons stated above, high readings must not be ignored.