ESD – Anti-static protection

What is an ESD (antistatic) filament?

ESD stands for Electrostatic Discharge. An electrostatic discharge is that little electrical "shock" you feel when you touch a door handle, but on a microscopic scale, this same shock is fatal to sensitive electronic components (microcontrollers, chips, motherboards).

Our ESD filament is a technical composite (often based on PETG or PLA) charged with specific additives (such as carbon nanotubes) that make it dissipative. It is not conductive like a wire, but it prevents the build-up of static charges on the surface of the printed part and dissipates them safely.

The benefits of ESD filament

 
• Component protection: Prevents irreversible damage to sensitive electronics.

 

• Dust prevention: standard plastics attract dust due to static electricity. ESD parts stay clean, which is crucial for precision mechanisms.

 

• Professional finish: generally offers a matte finish and a technical appearance.

Technical data (General)

Printing parameters are similar to those of the base polymer (e.g. PETG or PLA).

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• Surface resistivity: typically in the dissipative range (e.g. 10⁶ to 10⁹ Ohms).

 

• Extrusion temperature: 210-250°C (Varies according to base polymer)

 

• Tray temperature: 60-80°C

When to use ESD filament?

This filament is indispensable for any project involving sensitive electronics.

Typical applications

 
• Housings for Raspberry Pi, Arduino and other microcontrollers.

 

• Jigs and fixtures for electronic board assembly.

 

• Storage and transport trays for components.

 

• Tools for repairing telephones and computers.

Frequently Asked Questions

 
1. Is this filament conductive? No. It is dissipative. It cannot be used to print an electrical circuit. Its function is to neutralize static electricity, not to conduct a current.

 

2. Is it abrasive? Yes. The additives (carbon) that give it its dissipative properties increase abrasiveness. The use of a hardened steel or ruby nozzle is strongly recommended to avoid premature wear of your brass nozzle.

 

3. Does it need to be dried? Yes, like most technical filaments, it is hygroscopic. Dry storage and drying before printing are recommended to ensure optimum performance.

Francofil commitment: Technical precision

The manufacture of ESD filament requires a perfectly homogeneous dispersion of additives. Thanks to our mastery of the extrusion process in our Normandy workshop, we can guarantee a filament with consistent, reliable dissipative properties. Choosing Francofil means opting for a locally-produced, industrial-quality technical filament.