Bulk bags are made from woven polypropylene fabric, which is extremely durable, lightweight and strong. However, some materials can create a static field within this fabric when they are being loaded and discharged from the bulk bags. This static electricity can create small sparks that may ignite certain flammable or combustible materials, such as sawdust and chemical powders.
In these instances, antistatic bulk bags are required. Sometimes referred to as static dissipative bulk bags, these products are made from fabric that discharges static electricity without causing a spark. Static may be dissipated via a small metal wire that is built into the fabric and attached to the ground, or it can be dissipated into the atmosphere through ionisation.
Custom Bulk Bags manufactures various types of bulk bags, including Type C antistatic ones. These are produced in-house at our factory in KwaZulu-Natal. All of our bulk bags undergo rigorous testing and quality inspections to ensure that our customers receive world-class products. Our bags have a minimum safety factor of 5:1.
Different types of antistatic bulk bag
There are three types of antistatic bulk bags that offer various degrees of static protection. Some offer a reduced risk of static hazards, while others offer complete and guaranteed protection through various design elements and fabrics. Always ensure that the antistatic bags that you require are appropriate for your environment, processes and needs.
- Type B – These bulk bags are made from insulating fabric with a breakdown voltage of less than six kilovolts. This helps to prevent static sparks and propagating brush discharges which can ignite powdered materials. Note that these bags only provide limited protection against static electricity and they do not have an inbuilt mechanism for dissipating a charge. Only use these bags to transport dry, combustible powders, not flammable solvents.
- Type C – These bulk bags are made from fabrics that contain inter-connected conductive threads. They are designed to prevent incendiary sparks, brush discharges and propagating brush discharges. These bags can be grounded during filling and discharging. They are suitable for transporting flammable powders and solvents that may emit combustible gases or vapours.
- Type D – These bags are essentially the same as Type C but they do not require grounding when being filled and discharged. Do not use Type D bulk bags when the surface is contaminated with conductive materials, such as water or grease.
You may be wondering why there is no Type A bulk bag? These are made from polypropylene fabric and do not have any antistatic qualities, so Type A bags are not classed as static protective. Consult with your bulk bag manufacturer to ensure that you get the appropriate type of antistatic bag.
At Custom Bulk Bags, we offer consultations and advice to all of our clients. We can help you decide on the best products and optional extras, such as antistatic inner liners and attachments. For more information about our bulk bags, please contact us today.
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Custom Bulk Bags is a leading South African manufacturer of woven polypropylene bags for various industries, such as mining, chemicals and food. We are able to produce over 3.5-million bulk bags per year, keeping our customers in-stock at all times. Our bags adhere to the highest levels of quality as a result of our stringent in-house testing and quality control programmes.
Custom Bulk Bags holds ISO 9001 certification and we currently have a number of UN-certified designs. We are a Level 3 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact sales@custombulkbags.co.za. Follow us on Facebook for our latest news and industry insights.
