EFFECT OF GENERAL CLEANING AGENTS ON THE RESISTANCE OF PVC FLOORS USED IN HEALTHCARE AND THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY

Abstract

Purpose of the work. The purpose of the thesis was to investigate the effect of various cleaning agents on the electrostatic properties of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) floor coverings, which are widely used in healthcare facilities and the electronics industry. Particular attention was paid to the evaluation of changes in the surface and volume resistance of the coverings after repeated cleaning with agents of different purposes, as well as to determining their compliance with ESD protection requirements.

Methodology. In this study, 7 PVC flooring samples were investigated using three commonly used cleaning agents: Staticide 4010-1, Staticide 4800-1 Ultra II, Staticide 4020-1. Electrical characteristics were measured using an AIJGO-61 digital gigaohmmeter. To evaluate the properties of the coverings, the point-to-point resistance (R_p-p) measurement method and the volume resistance (R_v) determination method were applied. The research was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the international standards IEC 61340-5-1:2024 and ANSI/ESD S20.20:2021. The obtained results were analyzed taking into account the influence of relative humidity and the number of cleaning cycles.

Scientific novelty. For the first time, a comprehensive comparison of the effects of specialized ESD cleaning agents and household cleaning products on the electrostatic characteristics of PVC floor coverings was carried out. The specific features of changes in surface and volume resistance values depending on the type of cleaning agent, the number of cleaning cycles, and air humidity were established. It was shown that the application of the acrylic coating Staticide 4800-1 Ultra II under conditions of low humidity and multiple coating layers may lead to resistance values approaching the maximum permissible limits. The specific effects of household cleaning products and ethanol on the electrostatic properties of PVC flooring were also determined.

Conclusions. The results of the study showed that Staticide 4020-1 Neutral Cleaner Concentrate provided the most stable surface and volume resistance values. The use of Staticide 4010-1 resulted in a gradual increase in resistance values after repeated cleaning cycles. Overall, none of the tested cleaning agents caused the resistance values to exceed the specified standard limits during the short-term tests. The obtained results indicate the need for further research to assess the long-term effects of cleaning agents on the electrostatic properties of ESD flooring.