New injection moldable electrostatic dissipative (ESD) composites based on very low carbon black loadings

The electrical resistivity, mechanical properties, outgassing, ion contamination and particle-shedding characteristics of new electrostatic dissipative (ESD) injection moldable thermoplastic composites containing carbon black and glass fibers were studied. The results for polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate-based compounds were compared to typical carbon black and carbon fiber filled materials. Injection moldable composites with desired resistivities in the static dissipative range (10(6)-10(9) Omega/sq) for conveying in production lines, storage, shipment and for cleanroom applications, having good and balanced mechanical properties can be prepared by combining a number of polymeric materials with glass fibers and less than 2 wt% carbon black. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.