If you print trays, jigs, fixtures or enclosures that handle circuit boards and sensitive components, static electricity matters. A single static discharge you can’t even feel can damage electronics. That’s why ESD (electrostatic discharge) and anti-static filaments exist. Here’s what the terms actually mean.
Why normal filament is a problem
PLA, PETG, ABS and most other printing plastics are insulators. When they rub against other materials, charge builds up on their surface and has nowhere to go. When a charged part touches a sensitive component, that charge can discharge through it and damage it.
Conductive, dissipative and insulative
ESD materials are grouped by how easily charge moves across their surface, measured as surface resistance in ohms. Widely used ESD guidance puts materials in three bands:
| Category | Approx. surface resistance | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive | below 1×10⁴ Ω | Charge moves very quickly |
| Static dissipative | 1×10⁴ to below 1×10¹¹ Ω | Charge drains away in a controlled way |
| Insulative | 1×10¹¹ Ω and above | Charge builds up and stays (most plastics) |
Anti-static is a looser marketing term. It usually means a material that resists static build-up, but it isn’t a defined standard. Check the actual resistance figures.
Which do you need?
- Static dissipative materials are generally preferred for anything that touches components directly, such as trays, fixtures and handling tools. They drain charge without allowing a sudden, fast discharge.
- Conductive materials are useful for grounding paths, shielding and parts connected to an earth point.
- For a formal ESD-protected area, follow your site’s ESD control programme and test your printed parts with a surface resistance meter. Printed parts vary with print settings and orientation.
Where graphene comes in
Graphene is an excellent conductor. In a plastic, it forms a network that lets charge move through and across the part. Our Graphene Conductive Filament is designed for printing conductive paths and parts. It’s a strong option for:
- grounding features and conductive paths on fixtures
- static-control prototypes
- parts that need conductivity and mechanical strength. The same graphene that conducts also reinforces the plastic. See Can Graphene Conduct Electricity?
If your application must meet a specific ESD category, print test samples using your real settings and measure them before rolling them out. Contact us to discuss your use case.
Tips for printing ESD parts
- Use consistent settings. Temperature, speed and layer height all affect conductivity.
- Print 100% infill in areas that need to conduct.
- Mind the orientation. Conductivity is usually best along layers rather than across them.
- Keep filament dry and clean. Surface contamination changes readings.
- Earth it. A conductive part only drains charge if it’s connected to ground.
- Measure with a surface resistance meter and keep a record for each print profile.
Shop conductive filament in the UK
Graphene Conductive Filament 1.75mm · 2.85mm
UK stock, dispatched within 24 working hours. Related: Conductive Filament UK Buyer’s Guide
FAQ
Is conductive filament ESD safe?
It depends on the measured resistance of your printed part and your requirements. Highly conductive parts drain charge quickly. For direct component contact, a dissipative range is often specified. Always test.
What’s the difference between anti-static and ESD-safe?
“Anti-static” is a general term. “ESD-safe” should mean the material falls in a defined resistance range for your application.
Can I make normal PLA anti-static?
Anti-static sprays exist but wear off. A filament with a built-in conductive network is more reliable.