Conductive additives usually come i

Conductive additives usually come in granular or fibre form, offering a wide
range of conductivity, according to their nature and the level of loading.
Compatibility with the host polymer is a key criterion, as is processability. In
conjunction with FRs, they are now a key sector for E and E applications, where
they come under increasingly strict regulation regarding performance and
evolution of fumes, while the proposed extension of recycling legislation in
144 Additives for Plastics Handbook
Europe to cover Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) is proving a
point of serious controversy throughout the industry.
Thermoplastics have high resistivity (typically 10^^-10^^ ^) and are
receptive to build-up of static electricity. The most familiar manifestation of this
is attraction of dust to the surface of a plastics product. Among the more serious
consequence (in ascending order) are: impairment of the operation of fast
machinery such as flexible packaging machinery, electric shocks, and discharge
as sparks - which can have catastrophic results in areas where there is risk of the
presence of explosive gases.
In compounding for anti-static properties, the easiest solution is to add carbon
black, which makes the plastic more or less electrically conductive (but also
makes it black). Where feasible it is used, and most 'conductive' compounds are
based on carbon black. For most electrical applications, there are two types of
compound, related to performance, discussed below.