Anti-static additives
Anti-static agents are added to polymers to provide static protection by lowering the resistivity of the material. Different anti-static additives can be used, depending on the level of static protection needed and how long the anti-static effect needs to last. Most plastic materials are electrical insulators and have the ability to support high static build up. Static is produced by charge separation caused by the movement of one material over another. This can result in issues including:
- Increased handling and contamination issues during transport, storage and packing
- Dust attraction affecting both appearance and performance of plastic products
- Risk of electrostatic discharge that will damage electronic components
- Risk of electrical discharge causing shocks to employees and even fire and explosion
How can Croda help you formulate static resistance plastics?
We offer several different anti-static technologies to meet multiple surface resistivity and application requirements:
- Permanent
- Short and medium-term
- Amine-free
- Externally coated
Our global team of technical experts have many years of knowledge and experience in helping our customers select the best solution based on their polymer, duration of anti-static protection needed and regulatory requirements.
Smarter control of static for safe and dust-free polymers
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Product finder
View our anti-static additives rangeHow can anti-static additives help in plastics?
Anti-static additives are added to plastics to reduce or eliminate a static build up. Anti-static additives work by lowering resistivity and are capable of neutralising the surrounding static field. With this functionality, static issues such as dust attraction to surfaces or electrostatic discharge (ESD) are effectively prevented.
Permanent anti-static additives
Our Ionphase range of inherently dissipative polymers (IDPs), also known as ion conductive polymers, reduce the resistivity of polymers providing control and safety for static related issues. They can be added to plastics during compounding, extrusion or injection moulding.
These non-migrating additives do not move or migrate through or out of the polymer. They work by using a co-continuous ion conductive polymer phase. Ions acting as charge carriers within the additive will dissipate the static field.
Choosing these additives offers benefits including:
- Immediate and permanent effect
- Humidity independent
- Uniform and homogenous distribution with no hotspots
- Minimal change to host polymer properties
- Good compatibility with host polymer
- Excellent processability and surface quality
- Allows compliance with key industry standards for Electrostatic Protected Areas (EPA) and Shocks & Explosions (EX)
Product Finder
Explore our permanent anti static additivesA Croda educational webinar
Smarter static control with Ionphase permanent anti-statics
Short & medium term anti-static additives
Our Atmer range of short and medium term anti-static additives are also known as migrating anti-static additives. They are used in applications such as food and cosmetic packaging, where anti-static performance is required for up to 12 months. They can be added to plastics as a masterbatch, during compounding or directly during extrusion to reduce electrostatic attraction in polymers.
We also have concentrates available that are easier to dose and have a similar melting point to the polymer. Short- and medium-term additives work by migrating through the polymer matrix towards to surface as it cools. At the surface they pick up moisture from the atmosphere, resulting in reduce static build up in the plastic.
Benefits of using our Atmer anti-stats include:
- Low addition levels
- Wide range of food contact approval
- No adverse effect on clarity or mechanical properties
- Cost effective
Product Finder
Discover our short & medium term anti-static additivesAnti-static Additives
Ionphase™ abSTAT
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive for lowering resistivity of extruded or injection moulded ABS.
Ionphase™ cSTAT
Proprietary
A static dissipative, polymeric polymer additive for lowering resistivity in extrusion applications using PET-G.
Ionphase™ eSTAT2
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive for lowering resistivity in extruded styrenic or PP polymers.
Ionphase™ fSTAT
Proprietary
A static dissipative, polymeric polymer additive used for reducing resistivity in extrusion applications using polyolefins.
Ionphase™ fSTAT2
Proprietary
A static dissipative, polymeric polymer additive used for reducing resistivity in high temperature extrusion applications using polyolefins.
Ionphase™ fSTAT2 HF
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additives used to reduce resistivity in extruded and injection moulded polyolefins that have a high melt flow.
Ionphase™ hSTAT2
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive recommended for reducing resistivity in engineering plastics that require a high processing temperature.
Ionphase™ PE0108M
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive recommended for reducing resistivity in general extrusion applications with polyolefins.
Ionphase™ rSTAT2
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive recommended for reducing resistivity in extrusion blow moulding applications with HDPE. Also suitable for outdoor applications.
Ionphase™ trSTAT
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive designed for reducing resistivity in PMMA applications for ESD protection or dust prevention.
Ionphase™ U1
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive recommended for reducing resistivity in applications where PC blends are used.
Ionphase™ U2
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive recommended for reducing resistivity in applications where styrenics and POM are used.
Ionphase™ U3
Proprietary
A permanent anti-static additive designed for reducing resistivity in polyolefin and styrenic applications.
Atmer™ 122
Glycerol Ester
A bio-based internal additive in microbead form. Effective in polyolefins and flexible PVC, it provides a balance between anti-static effect and lubrication effect.
Atmer™ 129 NV
Glycerol Ester
A short term internal anti-static additive suitable for use in polyolefins and flexible PVC. It also provides an improved de-moulding effect.
Atmer™ 129
Glycerol Ester
A bio-based, short term internal anti-static additive suitable for use in polyolefins and flexible PVC. It also provides an improved de-molding effect.
Atmer™ 1012
Glycerol Ester
A short term internal anti-static additive for use in polyolefins and flexible PVC, providing a balance between anti-static effect and process lubrication.
Atmer™ 1013 NV
Glycerol Ester
A non-vegetable based short term internal anti-static additive for use in polyolefins and flexible PVC, perfect for reducing dust contamination and handling problems.
Atmer™ 1013
Glycerol Ester
A bio-based, short term internal anti-static additive for use in polyolefins and flexible PVC, providing a balance between anti-static performance and process lubrication.
Atmer™ 154
Other Esters
A medium term internal anti-static agent for plasticised PVC. Suitable for providing an anti-static effect for PVC flooring.
Atmer™ 190
Proprietary
A long term internal anti-static agent for HIPS, ABS, and non-transparent rigid PVC.
Atmer™ 7381
Proprietary
A 40% active amine free anti-stat in a PP carrier that gives a long term anti-static performance in a wide range of polypropylene applications.
Atmer™ 7382
Proprietary
A 30% active amine free anti-stat in a PE carrier that gives long term performance in polyethylene applications.
Atmer™ 110
Other Esters
An external anti-static agent and an external anti-fogging agent that can be applied directly to the surrface to produce an fast acting and short term effect.
Atmer™ 116
Other Esters
An anti-fogging agent for food wrap applications to improve transparency of the packaging.
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