Controlling static electricity in PVC packaging

The importance of establishing a more sophisticated approach for the control of static electricity in PVC packaging has been underscored by the microelectronics industry and its need for protecting products from electrostatic discharge. Four basic classifications; conductive, static dissipative, antistatic, and insulative, as well as a series of acceptable definitions are now available. Insulative PVC is made conductive by the inclusion of conductive carbon blacks. Antistatic PVC is prepared by the incorporation of an antistatic additive in the compound or by topical application of an antistat from solution. There are no static dissipative additives as such. A more sophisticated approach, such as lamination of different materials is required to prepare a static dissipative product.