Effect
When two (organic) substrates are in contact with each other such that friction occurs, electrostatic charges can built up. Electrostatic charges can impact plastic part s in several ways; one of the most annoying being the attraction of dust particles. One way to counter this effect is to use antistats (or antistatic additives). This effect is principally a surface effect, although one potential counter measure (conductive fillers) converts it into a bulk effect.  Influencing the antistatic effect

A concentration increase will (initially) increase the antistatic effect. However, certain fatty acid esters do not follow the previously described saturation curve behavior. In those cases, the effect declines beyond an optimum concentration. The anti static properties will additionally be improved by:

 + higher relative humidity use of more fatty acid ester versus ethoxylated alkyl - amine in blends (initial effect).

The anti static properties can be negatively affected by interactions. Interactions related to anti stats can occur through:

 lower relative humidity

 + in corporation of filler (lower migration speed)

 + recrystallization of (surface of) organic substrate volatility

 + migration in side the plastic part

 + in creased surface orientation.

  Requirement

The same requirements as for migrating slip additives apply. Based on the mechanism for static dissipation, typical antistats only function a t a high enough relative humidity. For low humidity applications, special chemistries need to be applied.