Protect Electronics with ESD Cleaners & Coatings

Perma logo

The Strategic Advantage of Perma ElectroStatic Discharge Products

For more than 40 years Perma's ESD program has been providing protection throughout the world by effectively safeguarding sensitive electronic components, reducing the risk of costly damage and loss due to electrostatic discharge - demonstrating Perma's commitment to maintaining high-quality standards, enhancing customer confidence, and staying ahead of competitors in the market.

Tesla and Electrostatic Energy

Nicola Tesla, Electrostatic Energy & ESD: ElectroStatic Discharge

Nicola Tesla, a renowned physicist and inventor, made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of electrostatic energy that revolutionized our understanding of electricity. Through his experiments and observations, Tesla demonstrated that electrostatic energy is omnipresent in the air. Tesla conducted numerous experiments, including his famous Colorado Springs experiments, where he transmitted and received electrical signals wirelessly across vast distances. By harnessing the power of the Earth's natural resonance, Tesla concluded that electrostatic energy exists abundantly in the atmosphere, providing evidence of its omnipresence. His findings laid the foundation for the development of wireless technology and highlighted the vast potential of electrostatic energy in various applications.

That same electrostatic energy, commonly called static electricity, can cause severe damage to electronics. The build-up of static charge must at some point be discharged, and when it is, it can generate a high voltage that surpasses the tolerance levels of electronic components, leading to their failure.

This discharge can result in faulty circuits, overheating, data corruption, or even complete destruction of the device. Furthermore, sensitive microchips, transistors, and integrated circuits are particularly vulnerable to electrostatic damage, requiring careful handling and protection with anti-static materials during manufacturing, transportation, and usage. ESD coatings, also known as electrostatic discharge coatings, are specially formulated materials designed to prevent or control the buildup and discharge of static electricity on different types of surfaces.

ElectroStatic Discharge vs Static Dissipation

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and Static Dissipation both deal with the movement of electric charge, but they occur in different contexts and have distinct characteristics.

Electrostatic Discharge refers to the sudden flow of static electricity between two objects with different electric potentials. It often occurs when there is a difference in charge between the objects and a conductive path is created. ESD events can happen due to various factors such as friction, contact, or induction, and they can produce a visible spark or audible noise. The discharge can generate high voltages and currents that potentially cause damage or interference, particularly in sensitive electronic components.


On the other hand, Static Dissipation is a controlled process performed to gradually remove the static charge from an object to prevent ESD. It involves providing a conductive path for the charges to flow through, reducing the potential difference and ultimately eliminating the static charge. This process can be achieved through the use of conductive materials, grounded surfaces, or antistatic devices. In our case, we achieve this through our coatings and ESD Cleaner residuals.

Perma's ESD Products are essential in industries where electrostatic discharge can harm electronic equipment, such as in manufacturing, assembly, or handling of sensitive components. Our coatings contain conductive additives that help dissipate electrostatic charges, minimizing the risk of electrostatic damage to sensitive electronic components or the occurrence of hazardous sparks. When applied to a surface, such as floors or workbenches, ESD coatings create a path for static electricity to flow safely to the ground, effectively neutralizing any potential electrostatic charges. This helps create a static-free environment, ensuring the protection and integrity of electronic devices and reducing the likelihood of accidents or failures caused by electrostatic discharge.

How is ElectroStatic Conductance Measured & Monitored

Perma's ESD Coatings & Cleaners are specially formulated materials applied to surfaces to reduce or eliminate the buildup and discharge of static electricity. These coatings are commonly used in various industries to protect sensitive electronic components and devices from electrostatic damage.


Measuring the effectiveness of ESD coatings involves assessing their conductive properties...

Conductance, or the ability of a material to conduct electric current, is a crucial parameter to determine the quality and performance of an anti-static coating. The conductivity of the coating is typically measured using a four-point probe method, which is a standard technique employed in material science and electrical characterization.


The four-point probe method - four equally spaced contacts or probes are placed on the coating surface...

A known current is applied to the outer probes, while the voltage drop is measured between the inner probes. By calculating the voltage and current values, the sheet resistance or surface resistivity of the coating can be determined. Surface resistivity is the electrical resistance of a unit square area of the material.


Acceptable levels of conductance or surface resistivity...

ESD coatings vary depending on the specific application and industry standards. Generally, lower values of surface resistivity indicate a better level of conductivity and hence, superior static dissipative properties. However, different industries have different requirements based on the sensitivity of their electronic devices. For instance, in electronic assembly facilities, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the ESD Association (ESDA) have set guidelines for acceptable levels of conductance. According to ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014, which addresses ESD control program requirements for the production of electronic components, a conductive material (like a grounded ESD floor or floor coating) should have a surface resistance of less than 1x10^6 ohms. A dissipative material (like an ESD mat or ESD coatings on work surfaces) should have a surface resistance of between 1x10^6 to 1x10^9 ohms. It is important to note that the acceptable levels of conductance may vary in other industries or specific applications. Therefore, it is essential to consult industry standards, guidelines, or specific product data sheets to determine the appropriate levels of conductance for a particular ESD coating in a given application.

The Products Associated with Our Anti-Static Coatings & Cleaner Offering

PERMA #26G Gray Stat Crete

Stat-Crete: Various Colors

A conductive, water-based, epoxy-acrylate finish, Stat-Crete provides ease of application, excellent wear and assurance - eliminating the potential of electrostatic charges.

PERMA #27 Stat Coat

Stat-Coat AIO ESD Floor Sealer

(Formerly Stat-Seal) An All-in-On multi-surface, medium-sheen sealer and finish that offers inherent static dissipating properties. Stat-Coat can be used on VCT, Concrete or ESD Tiles.

Stat-Gloss ESD Floor Finish

Similar to Stat-Seal in its areas of application, Stat-Coat delivers durability, an attractive level of gloss, and the opportunity for regular maintenance.

PERMA #137 Stat Clean

Stat-Clean ESD Floor Cleaner

A Neutral pH mop-on, ESD Floor cleaning concentrate, Stat-Clean removes surface and lightly embedded soils while supplementing dissipative material.

View Specification Sheet

PERMA #130 Shock Stop

Shock Stop ESD Cleaner

Shock-Stop is our multi-purpose, anti-static, concentrated cleaner which contains the same proprietary ingredient found in all of our ESD products. Mix 1:8 to 1:12.

PERMA #142 Stat Mat

Stat-Mat ESD for Benchtops

A 1:4 concentrate, Stat-Mat provides the electronic components tech a spray & wipe cleaner that will enhance the properties of his mat and other protection equipment.

PERMA #143 Shock Shield

Shock Shield ESD Enhancer

Provide instantaneous ESD enhancements to your carpeting, laminate countertops, plastic dividers, hoods and work areas with this spray and spread product.