Get better ESD and mechanical properties. (Keeping Up with Materials).

Two new families of permanent, non-sloughing anti-static compounds from RTP Co. are said to boost static-dissipative and mechanical performance of key engineering thermoplastics. RTP, in Winona, Minn, claims its PermaStat Plus materials provide properties required for clean-room medical and electronic molded, extruded, and blow molded parts. Initially, both lines are offered in polycarbonate, acetal, acrylic, ABS, and clear ABS base resins.

PermaStat Plus E Series compounds provide greater static dissipation than first-generation PermaStat products. For instance, PermaStat Plus E Series PC and acetal both provide volume resistivity of [10.sup.7] to [10.sup.8] ohm-cm and surface resistivity of [10.sup.8] to [10.sup.9] ohm/sq. Yet the compounds retain balances of mechanical properties typical for the base resins.

Meanwhile, M Series PermaStat Plus compounds offer enhanced mechanical properties while retaining excellent ESD values. For instance, the notched Izod impact strength of the PC grade is 20 ft-lb/in., versus 13 for the E version. Tensile strength and flexural modulus are also significantly higher in M Series acetal and PC compounds. M grades have volume resistivity of [10.sup.9] to [10.sup.10] ohm-cm and surface resistivity of [10.sup.10] to [10.sup.11] ohm/sq. Tel: [phone], www.rtpcompany.com