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Difference Between Conductive, Dissipative, and Insulative Materials in ESD Protection
- vidith cc
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Understanding ESD-Safe Materials
In environments where electrostatic discharge (ESD) poses a risk to sensitive electronic components, the right choice of materials makes all the difference. Every ESD protection setup relies on materials that either control, conduct, or resist the flow of static electricity. These are broadly classified into conductive, dissipative, and insulative materials.
Each of these plays a distinct role in ensuring the safe handling, storage, and transportation of electronics, and choosing the wrong material can lead to costly damage and equipment failure.
What Are Conductive Materials?
Characteristics of Conductive Materials
Extremely low electrical resistance
Allow electricity (including static charges) to flow freely
Used to create a path for static to discharge to the ground
Common Applications
ESD grounding cords and wrist straps
ESD Wrist Strap Grounding Cords 
Conductive Bins Surface coatings for grounded shelving systems
Surface Resistivity Range
Less than 1 x 10⁴ ohms/square
What Are Dissipative Materials?
Characteristics of Dissipative Materials
Allow the controlled, slow discharge of static electricity
Slower than conductive materials but safer for sensitive components
Ideal for preventing sudden static discharge that can damage microelectronics
Common Applications
Surface Resistivity Range
Between 1 x 10⁵ and 1 x 10¹¹ ohms/square
What Are Insulative Materials?
Characteristics of Insulative Materials
Very high electrical resistance
Do not allow electrons to flow freely
Accumulate static charge instead of discharging it
Common Applications
Standard plastic packaging
Foam and Styrofoam used in non-ESD-safe environments
Wood, glass, and ceramic surfaces in uncontrolled areas
Surface Resistivity Range
Greater than 1 x 10¹² ohms/square
Why This Classification Matters
Using insulative materials near sensitive electronics can lead to charge buildup and uncontrolled discharge, damaging expensive devices. On the other hand, relying solely on conductive materials can be risky without proper grounding.
That’s why dissipative materials are often the go-to choice in many ESD-safe workspaces—they provide a balance between protection and safety.
How to Choose the Right Material
Consider the Following:
The type of component being handled
Whether direct contact will occur
Level of grounding in your facility
Type of packaging, flooring, or equipment in use
In many setups, a combination of conductive and dissipative products is used to create a complete ESD-safe environment.
ESD Products Offered by Highstar Technoloogy
At Highstar Technoloogy, we offer a wide range of ESD-safe products made from the right material for the right purpose. These include:
Conductive bins and trays for organized component storage
Dissipative mats for workstations and assembly tables
ESD-safe gloves and anti-static garments
Static shielding bags for safe transportation
Our materials comply with international ESD standards, and our product range is designed to support both small labs and high-volume manufacturing facilities.
Need help choosing the right material for your ESD needs? We’re here to help.
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