One of the fundamental measures for preventing static electricity: reducing resistivity
Preventing static electricity begins with attempting to avoid its generation; for static electricity that has already been generated, the goal is to limit it so that it does not reach dangerous levels. Secondly, generated charges must be dissipated or neutralized as quickly as possible to prevent significant charge accumulation. Reducing resistivity is one such method, as materials with a resistivity of less than 10⁶ Ω·cm do not accumulate static charges.
A. Adding conductive fillers
Resistivity can be reduced by incorporating materials with good electrical conductivity. Examples include adding graphite powder during rubber processing to create conductive rubber; mixing small amounts of metal powder or graphite powder into plastics to produce low-resistivity plastics; adding small quantities of alcohol or trace amounts of acetic acid to industrial oils; or introducing metal soaps, such as magnesium oleate, into benzene.
B. Using antistatic agents
Antistatic agents are typically derived from oils and fats, with quaternary ammonium salts as their primary active ingredient. They function by enabling the surfaces of materials-such as chemical fibers, rubber, and plastics-to adsorb atmospheric moisture, thereby increasing electrical conductivity. Effective applications include adding antistatic agents to raw materials like nitrile rubber during the production of antistatic conveyor belts, or incorporating/coating "SM" antistatic agents onto polyester films and other plastic products. Similarly, adding hydrophilic propylene oxide groups during chemical fiber spinning, introducing ASA3 antistatic additives into liquids like aviation kerosene, or coating photographic film with antistatic agents can significantly lower surface or volume resistivity, thereby reducing static charge accumulation.