Fibers
Offer Electrostatic Control Solutions
By
Dean Yarborough,
Industry Manager
Shakespeare Conductive Fibers LLC, USA
June 26, 2004
Everyone
has experienced the discharge of static electricity in the course of everyday
life. The experience could be as benign as the discomfort associated with toughing
a doorknob, but there are some results of discharge that are much more serious
than others. These could include loss of electronic data, financial loss from
defects in manufacturing of sensitive components, personal injury and risk of
explosion of volatile gasses.
Fibers produced by Shakespeare Conductive
Fibers, LLC are incorporated in many of the products that are used to control
electrostatic discharge (ESD). These fibers, sold under the Resistat trademark,
are offered in many different forms to accomplish the desired ESD property of
the article containing the fiber.
For woven and knitted fabrics, the
conductive fibers usually comprise from 2% to 13% of the yarns and are arranged
as a stripe or grid pattern. These fabrics are used in specialized apparel, coverings,
upholstery, conveyor belting and processing belts. Generally, a continuous monofilament
fiber is used. The size could be as small as a 22-denier monofilament to over
7,000-denior monofilament.
For some weaving applications, the conductive
fiber is twisted with a continuous filament PET or nylon to enhance processing.
An additional use for woven fabrics is in bulk container bags for shipping of
powered and granular products, where static discharge is critical.
Staple
fibers, on the other hand, are supplied for application in needle-pucnched nonwovens,
where a primary function is gas filtration. Staple fibers are also supplied to
converters wishing to produce their won spun yarn combinations. Conductive staple
filament, provided as small as 5 denier, is particularly useful when the static
buildup is to be dissipated through a phenomena known as Corona Discharge.
In this type of discharge, the multiple terminating ends of the staple fiber
promote ionization of the charge into the surrounding atmosphere. Micro fibers
as small as 44 micron in diameter and .5mm in length are often used in wetlaid
adhesives and flooring. These short-length chopped fibers are also utilized in
flocking.
Carpet producers incorporate Resistant conductive filaments
into face yarn and backing to produce ESD flooring. Typical applications would
be critical computer installations and call centers where static discharge can
be devastating. For this type of application where aesthetics are a consideration,
a gray fiber is offered in addition to the usual black color.
Conductive
tow fibers, or strands of 40 ends of continuous filament fiber without a twist,
each have particles of electrically conductive carbon suffused to the surface.
Multifilament and two bundles are supplied to brush manufactures. These static-dissipative
brushes are found in office equipment such as printers, copiers and check processors.
They are also used in industries for cleaning and as processing aids.
Conductive fibers are an integral component in the design of many products. They
can be offered in many forms to accommodate challenging manufacturing processing
and design criteria. Although currently used in many established products there
are many more applications that would benefit from the comfort, safety and economic
advantages of controlling electrostatic discharge.
For
more information, please contact:
Shakespeare Conductive Fibers, LLC
Telephone:
803-754-7011 ext. 1471
Email: conductivefibers@resistat.com
Website: www.resistat.com
Reprinted
with permission of International Fiber Journal
