Do you know about static energy, the risks that it represents, and how to prevent it?

There are different ways that our body can be charged with static electricity. The most common one occurs when two materials touch and rub, and then after release, eletrostatic is generated. It’s an usual phenomenon in our day-to-day, like when we are walking on a mat or when we are in contact with a blanket.

The discharge of this static energy happens when there is contact or proximity between two objects with different electrical potentials, and even thought it seems that the risk is only the discomfort of the shock, there are specific environments that can increase the damages caused. In work environments where there is presence of flammable gases, like petrochemical industries, or even gas stations, the discharge can generate sparks and cause explosions. In any industry where there are electronic components being assembled, the discharge can damage those components, causing malfunction or even damaging the products permanently.

The only way to be protected against electrostatic discharge is being grounded. There are different solutions for that, but no questions that the most practical, comfortable and safe one is through the use of protective antistatic clothing and shoes.

We produce for over 12 years a conductive webbing designed to the shoe industry, that boost the performance of antistatic shoes besides reducing costs to manufactures. Check how:

• Savings in processes and materials: by using the conductive webbing, companies don’t have to purchase, administrate and use a series of other antistatic products with elevated costs;
  
• Less electrical resistance: since the number of components used in the shoe is lower and the conductive webbing has a high level of conductivity, the total electrical resistance of the shoe is reduced, boosting its performance;
  
• Conductivity guaranteed: a risk that many times is neglected is the possibility of the user to replace the antistatic insole by an ordinary or orthopedic one, aiming for comfort. When this happens, the shoe is no longer antistatic. The use of the webbing will guarantee the antistatic properties of the shoe because it will ensure a direct contact between feet and outsole, no matter the insole used.
  

Globalfit conductive webbing is an approved product, tested in England by Satra Technology Center, worldwide known for establishing and testing standards in shoes. The webbing is mainly exported to Europe, but also selled to Asia, Latin and Central America. It was designed for shoes but can be used in other applications such as antistatic bracelets.

If you would like to get more information about the conductive webbing and its applications, just reach us through any of our communication channels and we will be glad to help!