Design Considerations

Volume resistivity (ASTM D 257)

The volume resistivity of a material is its ability to resist the flow of electricity, expressed in ohms-cm. The more readily the current flows, the lower the volume resistivity.

Surface resistivity [EOS/ESD S11.11)

This test measures the ability of current to flow over the surface of a material. Surface resistivity is used to evaluate and select materials when static charge dissipation is critical.

Static decay rate

How quickly a charge is dissipated from material. Most applications require static decay to always be <2 seconds.

Dielectric Strength (ASTM 149)

When an insulator is subjected to increasingly high voltages, it eventually breaks down and allows a current to pass. The voltage reached before break down divided by the sample thickness is the dielectric strength of the material.