ESD Mat material analysis
The rubber material used in the rubber table pad is called nitrile rubber, which is a natural semiconductor and has an anti-static function. Its molecular structure is composed of countless carbon chains. The carbon chains store a certain amount of static electricity. Therefore, the static electricity generated on the surface of the mat can be introduced into the inner layer and dissipated in a short time. The residual static electricity passes through the conductive layer smoothly. Lead into the earth along with the ground. The characteristic of the rubber table mat is that it can store a large amount of static electricity and discharge and conduct electricity instantly, and the service life is generally more than 5 years.
The production cost of PVC table mats is relatively low. The reason why it can be anti-static is that anti-static agents are mixed in the production process. This kind of product is a chemical product. After 3 to 6 months of use, it will slowly volatilize, resulting in The anti-static effect declines.
In recent years, due to the continuous increase in the price of rubber, some manufacturers' rubber table mats are more or less mixed with PVC materials, but not more than 30%, otherwise it will affect the quality and service life. Some manufacturers will use recycled rubber as a substitute, but the carbon chain in the recycled rubber has been destroyed and there is no effect of storing static electricity.
5 Identification skills of rubber table mat and PVC table mat
5.1 Resilience
Cut two pieces of table mats of different materials and hold them firmly. The top-grade table mats will return smoothly quickly, without deformation, and have a softer hand.
5.2 Smell
Cut the two kinds of table mats into thin strips and ignite them with fire. If the smoke is very dark and accompanied by a pungent plastic smell, it is a PVC table mat.
5.3 Watching the flames
After being ignited, the rubber table mat flame has been very vigorous. When PVC burns, it will make a crackling sound. At that time, because the composition of PVC contains a kind of polyvinyl chloride, this element is anaerobic.
5.4 Look at the gravel
After burning, the ash of rubber has no lumps, while the ash of PVC has lumps.
5.5 Surface scratches
Scratch the surface of the table mat several times with an object, the PVC material will not leave scratches, and the surface of the rubber table mat has scratches.
5.6 Softness
Rubber pads are softer, while PVC pads are harder. If you add some softeners in the production process of PVC, it will feel very soft, even softer than rubber, but if you cut it open, you will see that the PVC table mat has many small foaming holes, but the rubber table mat does not. .