Anti-Stat Compounds for Explosive Environments

New LNP Stat-Kon and LNP Stat-Loy compounds from SABIC are formulated to  offer enhanced anti-static performance for applications regulated under the European Union’s increasingly stringent ATEX directive governing equipment used in explosive atmospheres. The materials can potentially replace less-effective metals and coated or filled polymers in electronics enclosures, automation equipment, equipment housings, lighting fixtures, safety gear and hand-held devices such as flashlights.

The two new compounds are based on SABIC’s LNP copolymers technology. LNP Stat-Kon DD000XI is an advanced material that provides exceptional electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection while retaining excellent impact resistance to safeguard sensitive electronics and offers processing ease. LNP Stat-Loy D3000IEU6 is a colorable product that offers opportunities to reduce secondary painting operations. Its proprietary polymer blend is said to ensure sufficient ESD performance without interfering with electronic signals.

Both compounds address ATEX safety requirements for electrical conductivity while giving users a choice of desirable performance and processing attributes. LNP Stat-Kon DD000XI compound provides surface resistivity in a range of 10⁶ - 10¹⁰ Ω. It delivers high impact performance at low temperatures and after long-term hydro aging, as well as high heat resistance (a heat-deflection temperature of 140 C @ 0.45 MPa [VICAT can also be considered instead]). The material’s broad processing window and high flow are said to enable thin-wall designs to reduce weight, while its easy mold release—relevant for parts with relatively sharp draft angles—helps expand design flexibility.

Compared to conventional carbon powder-filled PC, LNP Stat-Kon DD000XI compound delivers higher practical flow and a wider processing window, further expanding productivity and design freedom. Its higher impact resistance reportedly helps address the needs of increasingly demanding assembly and use conditions.

LNP Stat-Loy D3000IEU6 compound provides a surface resistivity of 10⁹ - 10¹¹ Ω to address the ATEX regulations, while allowing high transmission of electrical signals such as radar, radio and Wi-Fi. The signature feature of this product is its full colorability—with an extensive palette including vivid shades and good color retention after processing. Using this LNP Stat-Loy material, customers can enhance their applications with a broad range of colors for branding, aesthetics or safety indications without the drawbacks of coating and painting operations. Previously, PC-based grades for ATEX applications were mainly available in black.

Other prominent benefits of LNP Stat-Loy D3000IEU6 compound include its high impact strength at low temperatures (ductile down to -30 C), and a high degree of impact retention after hydro aging.