Aspartech ESD (Anti-Static)

Controlled Electrostatic Dissipation Additive

In many industrial environments, controlling static electricity is about far more than preventing an uncomfortable static shock. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage sensitive electronic components, interfere with equipment and processes and, in certain environments, create additional operational and safety risks.

Aspartech ESD is a single-component conductive powder additive specifically developed for use with Aspartech FLOORCOAT. Added to FLOORCOAT at the point of mixing, it modifies the electrical resistance characteristics of the finished resin surface to create a durable static dissipative flooring system.

At the recommended addition rate of 2%, Aspartech ESD provides controlled electrical dissipation whilst retaining the high-performance characteristics associated with the Aspartech FLOORCOAT polyaspartic system.

This provides an effective flooring solution for environments such as electronics manufacturing, assembly areas, laboratories, cleanrooms, data and communications facilities and other locations where the controlled dissipation of electrostatic charge is required.

Why Does Electrical Resistance Matter?

An ESD floor needs to achieve a controlled level of electrical resistance.

If resistance is too high, electrical charge cannot dissipate sufficiently and the floor behaves as an insulating surface, allowing potentially damaging static charge to accumulate.

Conversely, simply making a floor as conductive as possible is not necessarily desirable. An ESD flooring system is designed to provide a controlled path through which accumulated electrostatic charge can dissipate.

A static dissipative floor therefore occupies the controlled electrical range between highly conductive and electrically insulating surfaces. Aspartech ESD modifies the electrical characteristics of FLOORCOAT to bring the completed system comfortably within the static dissipative range.

Tested to IEC 61340-4-1

The electrical performance of Aspartech FLOORCOAT incorporating 2% Aspartech ESD has been evaluated using resistance measurements based upon:

IEC 61340-4-1 – Electrostatics – Part 4-1: Standard test methods for specific applications

Electrical resistance of floor coverings and installed floors.

The standard provides recognised methods for assessing the electrical resistance characteristics of flooring intended for applications where electrostatic behaviour is important.

Testing demonstrated the following results:

The results demonstrate the significant effect of incorporating Aspartech ESD.

Standard FLOORCOAT recorded a point-to-point resistance of 3 × 10⁹ Ω, whereas FLOORCOAT incorporating 2% Aspartech ESD recorded 3 × 10⁷ Ω – a 100-fold reduction in point-to-point electrical resistance.

The resistance-to-ground result was also reduced from 3 × 10⁸ Ω to 3 × 10⁷ Ω.

This places the Aspartech ESD-modified system securely within the intended static dissipative range, providing a controlled route for electrostatic charge rather than allowing it to accumulate at the surface.

Understanding the Electrical Tests

Electrical resistance can be measured in several different ways depending upon what aspect of flooring performance is being assessed.

Point-to-Point Resistance

Point-to-point resistance (Rp-p) measures electrical resistance between two positions on the surface of the flooring.

Two test electrodes are positioned a defined distance apart and a test voltage is applied between them. The resulting measurement determines how readily electrical charge can travel from one part of the flooring surface to another.

Point-to-point testing can be undertaken on flooring specimens and on completed flooring installations, making it particularly useful for assessing the consistency of an installed ESD floor.

Vertical Resistance

Vertical resistance measures the electrical path through the thickness of a flooring material.

A test specimen is positioned against a conductive counter-electrode, with another electrode placed on its upper surface. Electrical resistance is then measured between the upper electrode and the conductive surface beneath the specimen.

This provides information about the ability of charge to pass through the structure of the flooring material.

Resistance to Ground

For an installed ESD flooring system, resistance to ground (Rg) is particularly important because it evaluates the electrical path between the flooring surface and the building's grounding/earthing system.

Rather than simply allowing static charge to move around the floor, an appropriately designed system provides a controlled route through which that charge can ultimately be dissipated to earth.

ESD Earthing System

The performance of an ESD coating does not depend solely upon the electrical properties of the resin itself.

Where the floor is required to provide a defined path to earth, the complete installation must incorporate a suitable earthing system.

This will typically involve conductive copper tape installed beneath the resin flooring and connected to designated earth points. The exact layout and number of earth connections should be determined according to the floor area, project specification and applicable ESD requirements.

Connections to the building's electrical earth must always be carried out by a suitably qualified electrician.

The conductive additive, flooring layers, earthing tape and earth connections consequently work together as a complete ESD flooring system.

Simple Addition – Significant Change in Performance

One of the principal advantages of Aspartech ESD is that ESD performance can be incorporated into the proven Aspartech FLOORCOAT system through a simple additive.

Aspartech ESD is supplied as a pre-measured powder addition and is incorporated into FLOORCOAT during mixing at the specified 2% addition rate. This approach allows the electrical characteristics of FLOORCOAT to be modified without requiring an entirely separate resin flooring technology.

The resulting system combines controlled static dissipation with the established benefits of Aspartech FLOORCOAT, including:

Rapid curing
High abrasion and wear resistance
Excellent adhesion
Low odour
Low-temperature curing capability
Excellent chemical resistance
Durable, easy-to-clean finish
Wide range of colour options
Rapid return to service

Where is Aspartech ESD Used?

Aspartech ESD is particularly suitable where uncontrolled electrostatic charge could affect sensitive equipment, products or manufacturing processes.

Typical applications include:

Electronics manufacturing and assembly
Electronic component production
ESD Protected Areas (EPAs)
Cleanrooms
Laboratories
Data and communications facilities
Electrical and electronic repair facilities
Precision manufacturing
Production areas containing static-sensitive equipment

The result is a hard-wearing industrial resin floor that performs mechanically as a flooring system whilst also providing controlled electrostatic dissipation.

System Performance is Important

ESD performance should always be considered as a property of the complete installed flooring system, rather than the Aspartech ESD additive in isolation.

Substrate condition, coating thickness, mixing and dispersion of the additive, conductive layers, copper tape layout, earthing arrangements, temperature, relative humidity and installation quality can all influence the electrical resistance measured on a completed floor.

For critical ESD installations, the finished flooring system should therefore be tested after installation to confirm that the required resistance values have been achieved across the completed area.

Aspartech ESD transforms Aspartech FLOORCOAT into a high-performance static dissipative resin flooring system, combining the durability and rapid curing characteristics of polyaspartic technology with controlled electrical resistance for demanding ESD-sensitive environments.

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