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ESD mats portable set for safe soldering

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:59 pm
by OK1RP
Hi all,

After bad experiences during my radios and electronics repairing I decided to solve my ESD protection in the kitchen "lab" a bit better...

I would like to share my experiences with ESD mats for safe, ESD protective
soldering as it can help to others. I looked for long time on the eBay and other shops for possibility to purchase small portable ESD mats including the cables to connect for same el. potential or directly to common ground.

All mats I found were big and expensive or small but expensive or small, not
high quality and expensive etc.

Requested parameters were: two layers, oil, grease and solvent resistant, high temp resistant, acid proof and knife cut proof material.

After long time I returned back to Czech market where I found the company where they has exactly what I looked for but unfortunately the mats are too big. Standard size is 80cm x 160cm for high price dedicated for professional
industrial usage. So I tried to call them and after some negotiation they
promised to cut it for me to preffered size 40x60cm and install the cables and bananas for ground connection.

We also reached after some phone calls negotiation an excellent price.

Parameters:
- thickness: 2mm
- RTG = 10^6 – 10^8

ESD Rubber Mats have two layers; the top one is a blue static dissipative rubber layer laminated to a black conductive rubber bottom layer. Surface resistivity of the top layer is 10^6 – 10^8 and bottom layer is 10^5 – 10^6. This ESD Rubber material offers excellent resistance to oil, grease and most common solvent.

These ESD Rubber Mats are very light compared to our single layer and three
layer mats.

After ordering and arrival at home I decided to make several tests:

Several oils, greases and different solvents and mat survived without
any damages.

The flare-up point and it seems to be higher than 1000 C which is
corresponding to almost 2000 F. (I was limited by temp sensors and thermometer over here)

The burning thru temperature and it survived 450 C for 2mins which is
corresponding to 850 F. (I was limited by my soldering station, hi)

The max of the temp without any noticeable damage of the top layer. It
survived 200 C for 2mins which is corresponding to 400 F.

Finaly I tried to cut it using standard knife and make the hole thru using drill
and it proved very high resistance.

All these tests results are so great that I am really happy with this new ESD
mat and I am sure that it will make great job.

RESUME:
If You would like to get this ESD mats also then let me know OFF-LIST to
indians@xsmail.com

I am ready to help You with purchasing, repacking and shipping to you worldwide as NON-profit help.

...and one more think

Sorry for a bit longer message and bothering other people but I guess it can
help to many of us with ESD issue and hope it will help to some of You as same as to me with safe soldering in the kitchen property...

73 - Petr, OK1RP

ESD mats portable set for safe soldering - 1MOhms resistors

Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:00 pm
by OK1RP
Hi,

after getting some emails regarding the safe current limit I decided to share it over here...

Yes, both coiled blue wires has 1MOhms resistors included to limiting the current so it is not needed to use additional grounding point with resistor inside.

regards,

73 - Petr, OK1RP