Product/Service

Stat-Kon(R)

Source: LNP Engineering Plastics, Inc.
LNP has formulated a complete line of Stat-Kon® thermoplastic composites containing conductive additives which span the surface resistivity spectrum from antistatic through conductive, to EMI shi
LNP has formulated a complete line of Stat-Kon® thermoplastic composites containing conductive additives which span the surface resistivity spectrum from antistatic through conductive, to EMI shielding. Stat-Kon® composites contain non-sloughing additives, carbon fiber, carbon powder, stainless steel, or nickel coated cabon fiber reinforcement to produce antistatic, conductive/dissipative composites in the 100-1012 ohms/sq. range.

In the past, problems resulting from the buildup of electrostatic charges, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) limited the use of plastics in many applications. The LNP solution, Stat-Loy®, Stat-Kon®, and EMI-X® thermoplastic composites. These composites provide the static protection needed in markets such as business machines, electronics, and automotive. To better understand the LNP solution, let's further discuss the issues with ESD.

Static electricity is as its name implies electricity at rest. The electrical charge is the result of a transfer of electrons that occurs due to the sliding, rubbing, or separating of a material, which is a prime generator of ectrostatic voltages. Under the right conditions, this induced charge can build to 30,000 or 40,000 volts. When this happens to an insulating material, such as plastic, the built-up charge tends to remain in the localized area of contact. This electrostatic voltage then can discharge via an arc or spark when a body at a sufficiently different potential, such as a person or microcircuit. If electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs to a person, the result can range anywhere from a mild to a painful shock. In extreme cases, ESD could even result in loss of life. Sparks are dangerous in an environment containing flammable liquids, solids or gases, such as in a hospital operating room or during the assembly of explosive devices. Some micro-electronic parts can be destroyed or damaged by ESD as low as 20 volts. Since people are prime causes of ESD, they often cause damage to sensitive electronic parts, especially during manufacturing and assembly. The consequences of discharge through an electrical component sensitive to ESD can range from erroneous readings to permanent damage resulting in excessive equipment downtime and costly repair or total part replacement.

Conductivity Spectrum
Plastics are classified as electrically insulating materials having high surface resistivities in the range of 1014-1018 ohms/sq. The electrically conductive plastics commercially available today are composite materials of electrically insulating base resins and electrically conductive fillers of reinforcements. This heterogeneous mixture of conductive additive and insulative thermoplastic base resin can be tailored to produce Stat-Loy®, Stat-Kon®, and EMI-X® composites with surface resisitivities across the resistivity spectrum.

There are four different classifications of thermoplastic material conductivity:

  • Anti-Static Composites
  • Dissipative Composites
  • Conducive Composites
  • EMI/RFI Shielding Composites

LNP Engineering Plastics, Inc., 475 Creamery Way. Tel: 610-363-4500; Fax: 610-363-4749.