Static-Dissipative Resin Floors for the Electronics Industry

Advantages of Resin Floors
Resin floors offer the significant advantage of being customizable to meet the specific needs of their intended environment. For example, with specific products and procedures, it is possible to create static-dissipative surfaces that can dissipate electrostatic charges that can cause irreparable damage to electronic equipment. In this article, we will explore, with the help of two case studies from Sivit's portfolio, how resin floors are a fundamental element for the electronics industry and all ESD-risk environments.

Key Benefits of Industrial Resin Floors As discussed in our article “Everything You Need to Know About Industrial Resin Floors,” resin floors offer numerous benefits, including high mechanical resistance to static or dynamic loads, surface impermeability, ease of maintenance, and the ability to be treated for anti-slip surfaces. Resin is also safe for humans and the environment, being an inert material that emits no harmful fumes once hardened. For industries looking to renovate their facilities, resin provides an additional advantage: it can be applied directly to the existing adequately treated surface, whether it is concrete, ceramic, metal, asphalt, or old resin.

ESD-Risk Environments: The Danger of Electrostatic Charges Industrial environments at risk of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) can benefit from resin floors. ESD occurs when static electricity is transferred between two objects, for example, through friction. In flooring, ESD can be generated when walking on a synthetic floor or using carts with plastic wheels. Electrostatic discharges can also be caused by placing synthetic materials near electronic components or by rapid air movements. Even if not felt by operators, these small discharges can cause significant damage, as the created electricity is stored and discharges immediately upon contact with electronic objects.

Repeated ESD events degrade internal components of electronic equipment, significantly shortening the machinery's lifespan—costs that can be avoided with certain precautions, such as installing resin floors specifically treated to dissipate electrostatic charges generated during production processes. Industries most at risk of electrostatic discharges include electronics industries, data processing centers, assembly lines, warehouses of electronic or flammable products, chemical and diagnostic laboratories, operating rooms, plastic processing factories, mechanical engineering companies, biotechnology firms, food companies, and sugar refineries.

Sivit Solutions for ESD Environments Sivit has developed a range of products and specific cycles designed to protect electronic components from the effects of electrostatic discharges. Resin floors for ESD environments maintain high mechanical and chemical performance, even with capillary rising moisture from the ground. Electrically isolated resin floors can also become static-dissipative without dismantling.

Case Study: New Resin Floors for an Electronics Industry Electronics Industry + Flood = Guaranteed Disaster! In the winter of 2017, a leading electronics company suffered severe damage due to a flood. The water irreparably damaged the static-dissipative resilient coating covering the 2,000-square-meter floor, necessitating a complete overhaul. Before starting the renovation, Sivit technicians conducted a thorough six-step analysis:

1. Assessment of damage to the static-dissipative resilient surface and underlying tiles.
2. Verification of the presence and correct sizing of surface joints.
3. Checking for capillary moisture rising from the ground.
4. Evaluation of dynamic and static loads, focusing on the type of wheels used in the production area.
5. Need to make the new surface anti-slip, both in the presence and absence of water.
6. Designing the final color scheme to create the two-color layout requested by the client.

The proposed solution involved creating a colored, self-leveling, epoxy coating, breathable for capillary moisture and resistant to rising damp. The old resilient surface was completely removed with a stripping machine; the ceramicized surfaces were then sanded. Missing parts of the floor were restored, and detached tiles reattached with a fast-curing, solvent-free resin mortar. To protect the subsequent layers from rising moisture, Superconduplast W, an epoxy formulation designed for wet substrates, was applied as the first layer in creating static-dissipative floors. Next, grounding points were established to drain electrostatic charges. After the first layer of Superconduplast W cured, a second layer of Superconduplast, a static-dissipative epoxy formulation for wet substrates, was applied. A double application of Paviwater T68, a water-emulsion epoxy formulation, was followed by Conduplast W, a self-leveling static-dissipative formulation. To complete the work, a top coating composed of Smaltura ESD and Paviwater Antistatic was applied. The job was completed in ten days, including two days for curing.

Revamping the Warehouse After the production area, the Sivit team renovated the 600-square-meter warehouse floor, which was also severely damaged by the flood. The support was very precarious due to cracks, misaligned concrete stones, eroded areas, and strong capillary moisture rise. The existing resin surface was roughened with abrasive tools and thoroughly vacuumed with industrial vacuums. An epoxy primer, Paviwater T68, was applied. Missing parts of the flooring and detached tiles were restored using a fast-curing, solvent-free resin mortar. To repair all the cracks, Fluidepox Flex, a flexible primer used to consolidate damaged concrete supports, was chosen. Grounding points for draining electrostatic charges were created, followed by the application of Superconduplast W, reapplied as a second layer after curing. After rolling on Paviwater T68, Conduplast W, a self-leveling static-dissipative formulation, was applied. As with the production area renovation, to protect the surface from scratches and abrasions, a coating of Smaltura ESD and Paviwater Antistatic was applied. The work was completed in just seven days.

Conclusion: Resin Floors, Industrial Work Allies As demonstrated by the two case studies, a resin floor is not just an accessory but a key element that can significantly facilitate industrial activities. Compared to floors made of other materials, resin floors can be designed based on the required performance and support type: they can offer electrical conductivity and anti-slip characteristics. Regardless of the specific project, the typical properties of resin floors remain unchanged: mechanical resistance, a continuous surface, and ease of cleaning. Economically, resin is the most competitive choice compared to other materials: installation work is completed relatively quickly, with no need for costly demolitions or production stoppages.

For more information on our solutions for the electronics industry or to request a customized quote, contact Sivit at +39 011 2730033 or email commerciale@sivit.