Antistatic and conductive rubber
Some applications require rubber to conduct an electrical charge or to dissipate static electricity. In such cases, ordinary insulating rubber is not used but rather antistatic or conductive rubber.
The difference between antistatic and conductive
These two concepts are distinguished by their resistance (surface or volume resistance) value:
- Antistatic (dissipative) — dissipates static charge in a controlled, spark-free way. Typical surface resistance is in the 10⁶–10⁹ ohm range.
- Conductive — conducts electric current, with resistance below 10⁶ ohm.
Ordinary rubber, by contrast, is an insulator (above 10¹² ohm) and accumulates static charge.
How is it made conductive?
To give rubber conductivity, conductive fillers are added to the compound:
- Conductive carbon black
- Carbon fibres or nanotubes
- Some metal- or graphite-based fillers
The type and amount of filler determine the final resistance value. There is more on this balance in our article rubber compounds.
Application areas
Antistatic and conductive rubber is important in the following areas:
- Preventing static sparks in fuel and explosive (ATEX) environments
- ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection in electronics manufacturing
- Conveyor belts and floor coverings
- Antistatic seals in medical and pharmaceutical rooms
Material and durability
Conductive rubber is most often based on NBR, EPDM or silicone. When selecting a material, not only conductivity but also chemical resistance and temperature must be considered. For oily environments, for example, conductive compounds based on oil-resistant NBR rubber may be suitable.
Testing and verification
Because conductivity can vary from batch to batch, each production series must be tested for resistance.
The NUR KAUÇUK approach
The NUR KAUÇUK laboratory formulates and verifies antistatic and conductive compounds to the required resistance range. Our quality control confirms the values of each batch.
To choose the right conductive rubber for your application, see the products section and contact us for technical support.