Static Brushes

View A Video on Static Brushes - A Quick Introduction

Static Brushes

Static electricity is a phenomenon that is surprisingly easy to create accidentally, especially considering how devastating the results can be for expensive equipment. The contact of two objects brushing up against each other can cause friction, which in turn can cause electrostatic discharge, which in turn can affect electronic objects in its vicinity. Electrostatic discharge, also known as ESD, may also be created by an ungrounded conductive object being in too close of contact with an electrically charged object. There is a vast variety of ESD protection products because these ESD inducing circumstances can happen often and quickly if a company does not create an environment where it is impossible. An anti static brush is one type of ESD product that cleans as well as neutralizes the static on an object. Anti static spray also disinfects as it neutralizes a surface. Other static controllers include; ionizers, which keep a stream of ions in the air to combat the static and static meters, which gauge if there is electrostatic energy on an object and is therefore the first step in preventing static damage. Static brushes may work in conjunction with or after these products.

Important factors to consider when selecting a static brush are length, anti-static fill material and frame. Static brushes should be long enough to cover the entire width of the product being neutralized. The anti-static material of a static brush, depending on the particular application and surface it is being applied to, can be carbon fiber, conductive nylon fiber, or stainless steel fiber. All three materials are soft and conductive. When choosing a frame for a static brush, rigid, narrow and u-shaped designs are options. They texture of the bristle and specific use will impact the frame as well as the size of the anti static brush. For example, thin and narrow brushes with evenly dispersed bristles are meant for the delicate cleaning of a keyboard, while a large-handled and wide brush that resembles a scrub brush is meant for a harsher surface level. Applications for static brushes include use on fax machines, printers, copiers, stretch wrap equipment, packaging equipment, collators, paper handling machines as well as other places where static electricity may be present. Static brushes can be used to clean by way of removing dust, flux and solder while also dissipating static.

Images Provided by Gordon Brush Mfg. Co., Inc.

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