Introduction

In modern electronic products, EMC robustness begins long before the first circuit is powered up. It starts with materials. Elastomers used as seals, vibration dampers, gaskets or EMI interfaces are often in direct contact with sensitive electronics.

If their electrical properties are not well controlled, they can become a source of electrostatic discharge (ESD) rather than protection against it.

In this project, 7 elastomer samples supplied by the customer were tested at an accredited EMC partner laboratory.

The objective was to determine their electrical resistance and assess their suitability for use in ESD-sensitive electronic assemblies.

All measurements were performed in accordance with IEC 61340-4-1, the international standard for measuring the electrical resistance of materials used in electrostatic control applications.

The results provide critical insight into how these filled polymers behave when exposed to electrostatic charging, a key parameter for manufacturers operating in regulated industries such as industrial automation, automotive electronics, medical devices, renewable energy systems and industrial IoT.

Why ESD performance of elastomers matters

Electrostatic discharge is one of the most underestimated causes of electronic malfunction and long-term reliability problems.

Even voltages far below the human perception threshold can:

• damage semiconductor junctions
• cause intermittent malfunctions
• corrupt data
• create latent defects that appear months later

Elastomers are widely used in electronic products as seals, cushions, insulating layers and mechanical interfaces.

When these materials are electrically filled, they can be engineered to safely dissipate electrostatic charge. Instead of allowing charge to build up and discharge abruptly, they guide it in a controlled way to ground.

However, this only works if their electrical resistance is well defined, stable and verified. This is exactly the role of IEC 61340-4-1.

IEC 61340-4-1: the global reference for ESD material testing

IEC 61340-4-1 specifies how to measure the electrical resistance of materials and objects used in electrostatic control environments.

Image of test set-up ESD testing

It defines:

• Test Methods
• Electrode Configurations
• Applied Test Voltages
• Environmental Conditioning
• Uncertainty and Reporting requirements

The standard distinguishes between:

• Surface Resistance
• Volume Resistance
• Resistance to Ground

For filled elastomers, volume resistance is particularly important because it determines how electrostatic charge can move through the bulk of the material.

By applying this standardized methodology, materials can be objectively compared across laboratories and suppliers. This is an essential requirement for product qualification, supplier approval and regulatory compliance.

Test setup: from customer sample to traceable result

The 7 customer-supplied elastomer samples were measured in an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited EMC laboratory, ensuring that all results are:

• Traceable
• Reproducible
• Internationally Recognized
• Associated with a Defined Measurement Uncertainty

Sample preparation

Image Climat Chamber - Source Canva

Before testing, all samples were conditioned under controlled temperature and humidity.

This is essential because polymer conductivity is strongly influenced by environmental conditions.

Each sample was then mounted in the standardized IEC 61340-4-1 test fixture.

Measurement configuration

The resistance was measured using:

• Calibrated Measurement Electrodes
• High-Impedance precision meter
• Controlled DC Test Voltage defined by the standard
• Electromagnetically Shielded Environment

The electrodes are placed on the elastomer at a defined spacing and pressure.

A DC voltage is applied, and the resulting current is measured.

Using Ohm’s law, the resistance of the material is calculated.

This method ensures that not just the surface, but the bulk conductive behavior of the elastomer is captured, which is exactly what determines its ESD performance in real applications.

From ESD to EMC: why these measurements matter for system immunity

Although IEC 61340 focuses on ESD control, these measurements are directly linked to EMC system performance.

Materials with controlled electrical resistance:

• Prevent uncontrolled ESD - ElectroStatic Discharges
• Reduce local Electric Field Peaks
• Minimize the Generation of Transient Interference
• Support stable Grounding concepts

In products containing high-speed digital electronics, power electronics or sensitive sensors, even small ESD events can produce electromagnetic disturbances.

Selecting and validating elastomers with the right resistive properties is therefore a powerful first-line EMC design measure, reducing the burden on later shielding, filtering and suppression techniques.

Engineering-driven EMC testing

The measurements were carried out in an accredited EMC laboratory that combines internationally recognized compliance testing with practical engineering support.

This means customers do not receive only a pass/fail statement, but also:

• Interpretation of Results
• Insight into Safety Margins
• Guidance on Material Selection
• Support for Design Optimization

“ESD test are key to turning material choices into robust, EMC-compliant and market-ready products.”

This approach is particularly valuable for industries with strict EMC and ESD requirements, including:

• Consumer & Industrial Electronics Industry
• Automotive Industry
• Medical Electrical/Electronic Equipment
• Renewable Energy and Power Electronics
• Embedded systems and Industrial IoT Automation

In all these sectors, material behavior is an integral part of overall EMC compliance and product reliability.

Data you can trust for regulatory approval

Because the tests were performed under ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, the resulting data can be directly used for:

• Technical (Product) Documentation
• CE-conformity
• Supplier Qualification
• Product Approval & Compliance Documentation

This eliminates uncertainty and speeds up the route from development to market.

Conclusion

• Due to confidentiality constraints the result table couldn’t be published, but we hope to have shown you our capabilities to support you with professional, engineering-driven EMC testing.
• The ESD resistance measurements on these 7 filled elastomer samples demonstrate how critical material-level EMC engineering is for modern electronic products.
• By applying IEC 61340-4-1 in an accredited EMC laboratory, manufacturers obtain reliable, traceable data that directly supports product design, qualification and regulatory compliance.
• Whether you develop industrial controllers, automotive electronics, medical devices or energy systems, ESD and EMC performance starts with the right materials.