Conductive polystyrene (ESD)

Conductive polystyrene (ESD) is required for the manufacture of electrically conductive components for a wide range of application areas. The material is excellent for thermoforming and is used mostly in the production of transport containers and packaging. The plastic panels and foils made of electrically conductive, impact resistant polystyrene are extruded on a carbon black
component basis and are only available in black.

Two conductivity categories are basically distinguished: 

≤103 Ω enveloping conductivity (hard discharge).The polystyrene material must counter the build up of static electricity, by preventing and diverting any voltage potential caused by friction.

 ≥104 - ≤1010 Ω controlled diverting conductivity (soft discharge). The polystyrene material must protect the content of transport containers and packaging from static fields where electrical fields are reduced in a controlled manner by the conductive properties of the material.

Each level offers different approach in providing the exact degree of conductivity required for your application.

Advantages at a glance:

• Electrically conductive
• Good dimensional stability
• Good stiffness
• Easily thermoformed
• Excellent resistance to abrasion