Introduction to Carbon Nanotube ESD Coatings

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a sudden flow of electricity between two objects, which can damage sensitive electronic components, ignite flammable liquids, or cause other hazardous events. In industries that handle these materials, ESD flooring is crucial for mitigating these risks.

One of the most exciting advancements in recent years is the use of carbon nanotube technology in resinous ESD floor coatings. There are many benefits to using nanotube coating when compared to traditional ESD flooring systems.

What are Carbon Nanotubes?

Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical molecules made of a single layer of carbon atoms. These tiny structures possess exceptional properties regarding structural resilience and conductivity:

• High Strength: Carbon nanotubes are significantly stronger than steel.
• Excellent Conductivity: They exhibit high electrical and thermal conductivity.
• Lightweight: They are very light, and ideal for floors where weight is a concern.
• Durability: They are resistant to wear, corrosion, and chemical damage.

Benefits of Nanotube Coatings

The key advantage of Nanotube ESD systems is their ability to provide exceptionally consistent conductivity compared to traditional ESD flooring.

Traditional systems often rely on conductive particles that can clump or distribute unevenly, leading to inconsistent conductivity and the risk of localized spots being out of range. In contrast, the unique properties of carbon nanotubes allow them to form a highly uniform and interconnected conductive network within the coating. This ensures that static charges are evenly dissipated across the entire floor surface, providing more reliable and long-lasting ESD mitigation.

DiamondStone Nanotube Coatings

DiamondStone is at the forefront of utilizing carbon nanotube technology in flooring systems. We offer advanced solutions that leverage the unique properties of nanotubes to deliver exceptional performance.

DiamondStone has harnessed the power of carbon nanotubes to create cutting-edge ESD flooring systems. Our Nano systems: DiamondESD CRU Nano, and DiamondSlurry ESD Nano systems, provide superior static control, enhanced durability, and long-lasting reliability.

Key advantages of Nano systems:

• Single Conductive Coating: DiamondStone ESD Nano systems are built with one conductive topcoat, instead of a conductive primer and ESD topcoat. This enables the floor to provide consistent ESD control even when excessive wear is present.
• Better ESD Control: DiamondStone Nano systems are engineered to provide >104 to <106 ohms of resistance.
• Multiple Chemistries: DiamondStone offers both Epoxy and polyurethane chemistries for their Nanotube ESD systems. Epoxy offers ease of installation, while Polyurethane provides even better durability, wear resistance, and UV resistance.

Conductive vs. Dissipative ESD Systems

DiamondStone offers two primary categories of nanotube-enhanced ESD flooring systems, each designed to meet specific application requirements:

Conductive Systems

• ESD Resistance: Lower resistance (typically >104 to <106 ohms).
• Key Feature: Designed to rapidly dissipate static charges, providing a very fast path for electrical current to flow to ground.
• Application: Ideal for environments with highly sensitive electronic components or where extremely rapid static dissipation is critical, such as:
  • Electronics manufacturing facilities
  • Cleanrooms with the most sensitive equipment
  • Areas with a high risk of explosion from static discharge

• Additional Considerations:
  • When grounding personnel, a lower resistance to ground is optimal to minimize their electrical potential and the risk of charge generation.
  • Conductive flooring, due to its higher carbon content, tends to provide more durable and longer-lasting electrical properties.
  • Conductive flooring can withstand more physical abuse and contamination before its electrical properties are affected.
  • In conjunction with appropriate ESD footwear, conductive flooring minimizes charge generation and helps meet the requirements of ANSI/STM 97.2 for body voltage.

Dissipative Systems

• ESD Resistance: Higher resistance than conductive systems (typically >106 to <109 ohms).
• Key Feature: Control the flow of static electricity at a slightly slower rate than conductive systems. This controlled dissipation is sufficient for many applications and can offer a balance of ESD protection and other performance characteristics.
• Application: Suitable for a broader range of environments, including:
  • General electronics assembly
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Telecommunications installations
  • Areas with moderate ESD sensitivity
• Additional Considerations:
  • Dissapative materials are often preferred for surfaces that come into direct contact with ESD-sensitive devices (e.g., workbenches, packaging).

Comparison Table

Choosing the Right System

The choice between conductive and dissipative systems depends on a careful assessment of the specific needs of your environment. Consider these factors:

• Sensitivity of Equipment: For the most sensitive electronic components, a conductive system is generally recommended for personnel grounding, while a dissipative system is often preferred for work surfaces.
• Risk of Explosion: In areas where static discharge could ignite flammable materials, conductive flooring provides the highest level of protection.
• Application Requirements: Dissipative systems offer a good balance of ESD protection and other properties, making them suitable for a wider range of applications.

DiamondStone can help you evaluate your requirements and select the optimal nanotube ESD flooring system for your facility. Contact one of our product specialists for more information @ Info@techniquex.com or call 877-376-9935.