TUBALL™ nanotubes are a unique anti-static agent that provides electrical conductivity at low dosages not achievable with any standard conductive additive. These low dosages enable reductions in the electrical resistivity of the material with minimal impact on mechanical properties, processing and color.

OCSiAl supplies a ready-to-use water-based dispersion with properly dispersed and stabilized TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes. This product contains user-friendly stabilizer and can be used for all kinds of water-based latexes, such as nitrile, natural and polyurethane.

TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes: Good performance on all key parameters

In contrast to other conductive agents, TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes are a versatile conductive agent offering good performance on all key parameters.

* Inorganic salts were used in more than 80% of gloves until 2014. Since the new EN 16350:2014 standard for safety wear was launched with requirements for volume resistivity, these salts can no longer be used for ESD gloves production.       

Key benefit 1: Compliance with the EN 16350:2014 standard

New safety regulations related to electrostatic protection are being developed to keep pace with the increasing automation of industrial facilities.

The introduction in July 2015 of the EN 16350:2014 standard, which deals with the electrostatic characteristics of protective gloves, meant that manufacturers had to look for new ways to comply with the updated requirements.

TUBALL™ LATEX makes it possible to achieve permanent and humidity-independent conductivity in full compliance with the new European standard EN16350:2014

New standard for ESD GLOVES. EN16350:2014

Key benefit 2: Touchscreen operation of industrial gloves

TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes provide an anti-static effect that allows smooth operation of touchscreens without the gloves having to be removed and that ensures worker and product protection.

Graphene nanotubes allow these gloves to use standard liners without conductive yarns and to keep the same dipping process and formulation.

Key benefit 3: Colored anti-static compounds

TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes allow the required anti-static performance to be achieved in all water-based latex systems. The effective dosage required varies depending on the formulation of the compound and on the thickness and type of glove.

ESD gloves with TUBALL™. Natural & nitrile latexes

*Glove made by industrial partner with 0.05% TUBALL™

The extremely low dosage required of graphene nanotubes creates the opportunity to produce colorful solutions where desired.

Coloured anti-static nitrile film with 0.06 wt.% TUBALL™

Surface resistivity 10⁷ Ω/sq

Key benefit 4: Standard processing and mixing equipment

Water-based suspensions with high-quality dispersions of graphene nanotubes and latex-friendly chemicals provide compatibility with standard processes and equipment.

The dispersion can be added during the latex compounding stage and does not affect the manufacturing process.

Other benefits

• Effective concentration of TUBALL™ 0.05%
• Electrical resistivity of < 10⁶ Ω•cm
• Maintained mechanical properties
• Suspensions available for all latex types
• Material is ready to use “as produced”