There are branches in which the production processes are governed by strictly defined and monitored conditions. Pharmaceutical, semiconductor and electronics, polymer processing, enamelling and coating as well as biotechnology companies have to create a clearly defined working environment to protect the products they manufacture from any adverse man-made influence.

What does ESD stand for and what does ESD protective clothing imply?
ESD stands for Electric Static Discharge and is also called antistatic or electrically discharging. ESD protective clothing is marked by a special pictograph and can be cleaned in a commercial laundry if it is made of blended polyester-cotton fabric, which is fairly common. For the purpose of keeping the corporate identity, ESD protective clothing can be supplied with stitched logos. However, this is not possible for cleanroom clothing. The use of fabric conditioner is strictly forbidden for cleanroom clothing. To ensure the wearing comfort even after treatment by a specialised company please stick to the manufacturer's cleaning instructions at all times. Get detailed information on the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of fabric.

The growing technisation of the industry led to an increased demand in special protective clothing. From the electronics industry to the production of pharmaceuticals the protection of the products from human skin and hair particles is extremely important. Innovative professional clothing manufacturers thus offer protective clothing which is impermeable to particles and electrically discharging.

For example, in the production of microchips or circuit boards it is essential that the highly sensitive components do not get in touch with any perspiration of the human body. On the other hand, with routine handling, checking or transport any damage (i.e. a deterioration or malfunction of the features of circuits and assemblies) through electrostatic discharge is to be prevented. The electrical resistance of the human body however is so small that it works as a conductor and given a proper isolation from the ground can accumulate electrostatic charge. Therefore, especially in the semiconductor and electronics industries but also in enterprises with strong solvent vapours ESD protective clothing must be worn while in lesser affected industries, such as food production, cleanroom clothing is used.
Moreover, there are fields in which a combination of the characteristics of ESD and cleanroom clothing is required. For further information please contact our customer service representatives (phone: +43 - 74 72-64 744-0).

In order for clothing impermeable to particles and electrically discharging to fulfill the respective requirements, special fabrics and suture material as well as special manufacturing processes are necessary. For cleanroom clothing no fabrics made of natural material or staple fibre yarn are to be used. They tend to show abrasion as from wearing or washing, they can break or come lose from the yarn and can contaminate the surroundings. Thus, for cleanroom clothing only polyester endless filaments are to be used which are processed into very fine and dense fabrics with tiny pores.

ESD fabric is mostly made of carbon-coated man-made fibres or high-grade steel- and carbon-coated carbon fibres. These are to prevent the destruction of the sensitive components and the build-up of discharge sparks which e.g. in an enamelling company could cause an explosion.

Even though protective clothing should mainly fulfill functional aspects, good wearing comfort should always rank high as well. Many workers wear ESD protective clothing, such as overalls, for eight hours a day. Therefore these pieces of clothing should be comfortable to wear. In addition, the protective clothing should always allow for a certain amount of moisture regulation and breathability.

Requirements for ESD protective clothing
According to DIN EN 1149 ESD protective clothing has to fulfill the following criteria:

• Electrostatically discharging protective clothing must consist of a one- or two-piece garment which has to cover the wearer's body, arms and legs at all times.


• The clothing has to be designed in a way as to allow the charge through contact of the conducting parts of the fabric with the skin to flow off.


• Turn-ups at the end of the clothes, such as on the sleeves, trouser legs or collar, have to improve the possible contact of the electrostatically conducting material and the skin.


• Metal parts in the ESD protective clothing have to be covered.
  
• In order to prevent the dangerous discharge of the underclothing this must fully be covered by the overgarments. Thus, the jacket of a two-piece protective suit should be long enough to also cover the waistband when the wearer bends over.

Source: Marquardt + Schulz

To ensure that you and your employees can carry out their work safely and without any accidents always supply proper ESD protective clothing. Our team is happy to help you with any questions. Please call them on +43 - 74 72-64 744-0.