Protective wear

Graphene nanotubes for workwear: ESD safety and standard compliance

Anti-static clothes empowered by graphene nanotubes ensure compliance with ATEX zone regulations and protect workers from the risk of sudden electrostatic discharge (ESD), high temperatures, sparks, and splashes of molten metal. Thanks to their unique structure, and additionally to their exceptional conductive properties, graphene nanotubes maintain the fabric’s original strength and comfort, providing an option for breathability and flame resistance, while guaranteeing no carbon dust on the surface, no changes to manufacturing processes, and no limitations in color or design, in contrast to other anti-static additives. These benefits make graphene nanotubes a superior alternative to carbon black, liquid conductive agents, and conductive yarns—raising the bar for anti-static protective clothing in high-risk environments.

Protective wear
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Main properties

  • Permanent electrical resistance <10³–10¹¹ Ω

    Permanent electrical resistance <10³–10¹¹ Ω
  • Preserved mechanical properties

    Preserved mechanical properties
  • Compliance with industrial safety standards

    Compliance with industrial safety standards
  • Colorful aesthetic appeal

    Colorful aesthetic appeal
Anti-static workwear for increased safety

Anti-static workwear for increased safety

What is ESD workwear?

What is ESD workwear?

In many industries, static electricity is a serious hazard. Friction-generated sparks can ignite flammable substances, damage electronics, and injure workers. ESD-sensitive environments—such as electronics manufacturing and ATEX zones—require anti-static protective workwear. Conductive clothing helps safely dissipate static charge. ESD textiles reduce fire and explosion risks, protect equipment, and improve the safety and comfort of workers.

Graphene nanotubes outperform standard additives for ESD-protective gloves

Graphene nanotubes outperform standard additives for ESD-protective gloves

Ultra-long, electrically conductive, and flexible, graphene nanotubes form a 3D conductive and reinforcing network inside materials at extremely low dosages of 0.06–0.1 wt.%. The unique properties of nanotubes make it possible to maintain resistance to microbial attack, abrasion, alkali, and hydrolysis, while enhancing durability, ESD reliability, and a special soft-feel effect. This allows them to show better results compared to conventional conductive agents in all parameters of the modified material.

DIAGRAM
  • Ammonium salts
  • Carbon black
  • TUBALL™
* this diagram provides average trends compared with other additives, based on OCSiAl data. Product performance may vary depending on product type and formulation.
Wide range of electrical conductivity

Wide range of electrical conductivity

TUBALL™ nanotubes enable a full range of electrical resistance—from anti-static to conductive—making them suitable for various textile types and applications. This ensures reliable ESD protection for safety wear and compliance with standards requiring resistance values typically between 103 and 10¹¹ Ω.

Wide range of electrical conductivity
Stable anti-static properties over time

Stable anti-static properties over time

The consistent conductive performance provided by TUBALL™ nanotubes remains stable over time and is unaffected by humidity or aging.

Stable anti-static properties over time
Compliance with safety regulations

Compliance with safety regulations

TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes make it easy to meet all major industrial standards for ESD protection in safety wear, including EN ISO 18080, EN ISO 20345, ASTM F1506, ANSI/ESD STM2.1, EN 61340, EN 16350, ATEX Directive 95/2014, and others, which are used in critical sectors such as oil and gas, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, electronics manufacturing, and automotive.

Preserved variety of colors

Preserved variety of colors

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

Preserved variety of colors
Additional benefits

Additional benefits

  • No carbon contamination on material surface

    No carbon contamination on material surface
  • Limited influence on rheology

    Limited influence on rheology
  • Dust-free production

    Dust-free production
Standard processing

Standard processing

The use of TUBALL™ graphene nanotubes in the form of concentrates and suspensions streamlines nanotube handling at standard PPE production facilities, enabling clean and efficient processes. These solutions are specifically designed for a wide range of systems—including solvent-free and solvent-based polyurethane, acrylic, silicone rubber, PVC plastisol, and latex—and can be easily integrated into standard production processes at the mixing or compounding stages.

Contact us to discuss your project specifications or to request a TUBALL™ MATRIX sample

MATRIX sample

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