Anti-static Shoes: A Standard Companion to Anti-static Clothing
Modern manufacturing places increasingly high demands on environmental cleanliness. Many enterprises equip their operators with anti-static workwear and have replaced traditional canvas-and-rubber shoes with clean, stylish anti-static footwear. These shoes typically feature soles made of PU or PVC and, together with anti-static clothing, form a comprehensive anti-static system.
Anti-static shoes come in various styles and materials, known by names such as anti-static work shoes, four-eye shoes, mid-top shoes, mesh shoes, and cleanroom boots. They are suitable for use in pharmaceutical plants, food processing facilities, electronics cleanrooms, and specialized laboratories.
After a period of use, anti-static shoes require testing and verification. A brief overview of the testing method follows:
1. Environmental requirements: Temperature of 20°C ± 2°C and relative humidity of 30% ± 3%. Test samples must be conditioned in this environment for at least 24 hours. If testing cannot be performed within the specified environment, it must be completed within 5 minutes of removing the sample from that environment.
2. Fill the shoe with steel balls as specified and place the prepared sample onto the designated external electrode. Connect a specified DC power source between the internal and external electrodes for one minute. Based on the measurement circuit principles, record and calculate the voltage and current values at the end of the one-minute period.
In addition to regular testing, attention should be paid to details during daily use. First, anti-static shoes should be worn with thin nylon socks or socks containing conductive fibers; wool or standard synthetic fiber socks should be avoided. Second, if insoles are used, they must contain conductive threads. Neglecting these points renders the anti-static shoes no different from ordinary footwear, effectively nullifying their anti-static function.