FAQs and Guides

ESD coating FAQs are essential for understanding how ProShield differs from traditional static control methods. Many industries still rely on paints or molded plastics filled with carbon or metal powders, which often degrade over time. ProShield provides a permanent, filler-free alternative. This guide answers the most common questions about ESD coatings and shows how ProShield simplifies static protection.

What is an ESD Coating?

An ESD coating is a protective layer that prevents the build-up of static electricity on surfaces. For example, these coatings are widely used in electronics, aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and packaging industries. In contrast to conventional paints, ProShield integrates conductivity into its polymer backbone. Therefore, it delivers permanent static protection without relying on unstable fillers.

How Does ProShield Differ from Traditional ESD Paints?

Traditional ESD paints rely on conductive fillers such as carbon black or metal powders. However, these fillers can segregate, clump, or drift, leading to uneven resistivity. ProShield solves this problem by using a 100% conductive polymer matrix. As a result, the coating remains stable, homogeneous, and compliant with IEC 61340 standards throughout its lifetime.

Has ProShield Been Tested or Qualified?

Yes. ProShield ESD coating has undergone independent third-party testing to confirm compliance with international ESD standards. Testing was performed by ESD India (WEAMG Electronic Solutions Pvt Ltd).

  • Verified to ANSI/ESD STM 7.1 – electrical resistance of flooring and coatings.

  • Verified to ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 – requirements for static control in electronic manufacturing.

  • Passed at 9%, 50%, and 70% relative humidity with surface resistance consistently between 10⁶–10⁷ Ω.

  • Decay time: 1000 V charge dissipated in 3 seconds (Pass).

✅ Overall result: Full pass under all tested conditions.

📄 Report number: ESDI-0925-0223.

We also use ProShield in our own facility on floors, benches, shelving, and converted dissipative parts to demonstrate practical performance.

What Surfaces Can ProShield ESD Coating Be Applied To?

ProShield can be applied to almost any surface. For instance, it adheres to:

✅ Concrete factory floors

✅ Plastics, foams, and housings

✅ Wood, fibreboard, and furniture

✅ Metals, racks, and fixtures

✅ Paper cartons and packaging materials

Therefore, if you can paint it, you can protect it with ProShield.

What is the Difference Between Conductive, Dissipative, and Anti-Static?

  • Conductive coatings allow charges to move very quickly (10⁴–10⁶ Ω/sq).

  • Dissipative coatings slow down the discharge for safer control (10⁶–10⁹ Ω/sq).

  • Anti-static coatings reduce static build-up but do not guarantee discharge paths (>10⁹ Ω/sq).

ProShield is tunable across all three ranges, ensuring compliance with global ESD standards and providing flexibility for every application.

How Permanent is ProShield Compared to Other Solutions?

Most ESD coatings degrade when exposed to wear, humidity changes, or environmental stress. In contrast, ProShield maintains permanent conductivity because the polymer itself carries the charge. Even in dry environments, surface resistivity remains within specification. Consequently, maintenance is minimal and only physical damage requires touch-up.

Is ProShield Safe and Standards-Compliant?

Yes. ProShield ESD coatings are formulated to meet ESDA requirements and are available in RoHS and REACH-compliant chemistries. Moreover, water-based options provide an eco-friendly alternative with low VOCs. Therefore, ProShield combines safety, compliance and performance.

How Do I Choose the Right Chemistry?

The right chemistry depends on your substrate. For example, polyurethane suits flexible plastics and foams, epoxy works best on floors and metals, water-based is ideal for packaging, and solvent-based excels in harsh outdoor environments. For more details, see our ProShield Chemistries page.

Get Started with ProShield

📩 Contact us today with your questions about ESD coating FAQs.

📄 Download our brochure for a full guide to ProShield’s filler-free technology.