PLA ESD

Filament designed for ESD protection and safety in EX zones

Spectrum PLA ESD is a modern, antistatic 3D printing filament based on a modified PLA biopolymer that provides permanent protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) and sparking in explosive (EX / ATEX) environments. The filament has been developed for applications where electronic safety, print precision, and ease of use are crucial. Spectrum PLA ESD combines the eco-friendly nature of PLA with protective properties, offering high stiffness, excellent surface quality, and fully predictable printing performance.

Unlike standard PLA filaments, Spectrum PLA ESD uses a permanent, non-migrating antistatic formulation which effectiveness is independent of ambient humidity. The filament maintains its protective properties in both dry and humid environments, ensuring stable and long-lasting protection of electronic components. This makes PLA ESD an excellent choice for precise industrial, laboratory, and service applications.

How Spectrum PLA ESD works

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when electric charges accumulate on the surface of a material, potentially damaging sensitive electronic circuits. Spectrum PLA ESD effectively eliminates this risk by safely dissipating static charges in a controlled manner. 3D-printed parts made from Spectrum PLA ESD demonstrate surface resistivity in the range from 10⁷ to 10⁹ Ω/sq, which corresponds to:

• E9–E10 – typical for ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) protection
• E8–E9 – suitable for EX / ATEX safety, i.e., applications in potentially explosive environments

These resistivity values place Spectrum PLA ESD within the optimal functional range for ESD-safe materials, ensuring effective and controlled dissipation of static charges without the risk of sparking. Electrostatic energy is released as low-energy corona-type discharges, ensuring full protection of electronic components even without grounding.