Hermes Coated Abrasive Antistatic Sanding Products
Static Electricity
All matter is made up of atoms. Each atom comprises a nucleus and a given number of electrons. A distinction is made between free and bound electrons. The bound or nuclear electrons determine the physical properties of the material. These electrons cannot simply be extracted from the atomic structure. The free electrons, on the other hand, can easily be split from the atom and transferred to other atoms or remain free for a short while. They determine the chemical and electrical properties.
A further distinction is made between:
1. Conducting and
2. Non-conducting or insulating materials.

Most of the conductors contain roughly the same number of free electrons as atoms. In the neutral state, the free electrons are thought to be in constant irregular motion between the atoms, more or less like the molecules in a gas. Electrical effects do not become externally noticeable as long as the atom has the normal number of electrons. The atom is then considered to be electrically neutral. However, electrical effects do become apparent when free electron break away or join the atom so that it then has too many or too few electrons. The atom or the entire object is then said to be electrically charged. The effects differ depending on how many excess electrons are present or missing. This fact has been known for a long time and a distinction has always been made between positively and negatively charged objects.

The work electricity is of Greek origin, electron being a Greek word for amber. Even the ancient Greeks knew that amber could be rubbed and thus made to assume a special state called electric. Non-conductors and insulators have only a small number of free electrons. When two non-conductors come in contact with one another, for instance through friction, the free electrons migrate from one material to the other. The resultant change in charge can be preserved by separating the two materials very quickly. The material which loses electrons becomes positively charged while the other is negatively charged by absorbing electrons. This process can vary considerably, which is why only substances with the same atoms also have the same charge.

Very different materials are involved when wood materials and sanding belts come in contact with one another during the sanding process. In other words, a variety of different atoms make frictional contact, preventing a basic distinction between positive and negative charge. It must be assumed that the workshop, sanding machines and surroundings, sanding belts and dust, wood, and other insulating materials are positively and negatively charged, depending on the sanding conditions. Like charges repel one another while opposite charges attract one another. This means that the sanding dust becomes charged when non-conducting belts are used to sand wood materials, thus leading to repulsion or attraction. Since the metal parts conduct electricity, they will not undergo any change of potential and thus always attract the sanding dust. The condition of the sanding dust, i.e. its fineness, the type of material involved and its moisture content, will determine the rate of discharge when the dust comes in contact with conducting materials making up the machine parts. It is essential to ensure that the sanding machine is always well grounded. The relative humidity in the work room should also be kept constant wherever possible.

Hermes Antistatic Belts for Sanding Wood
Hermes antistatic belts for sanding wood contain special additives with excess free electron ensuring the gaps produced by migrating electrons are immediately refilled, thus producing an "Antistatic Effect". The sanding process dust becomes less strongly charged, the forces required to balance out the different charges are reduced and the dust adheres less firmly to the machine parts. An efficient extractor system can remove the sanding dust more easily. In other words, Hermes antistatic sanding belts support the extractor systems which remove the sanding dust from the working area.

Results
Less sanding dust adheres to the pieces, the service life of the sanding belt is prolonged and the workplace remains cleaner since the dust extractor is operating more efficiently.

OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created within the Department of Labor as a result of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This Act was instituted to assure every working man and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resource. While OSHA continually reviews and redefines specific standards and practices, its basic purposes remain constant. OSHA strives to implement its congressional mandate fully and firmly with fairness to all concerned.

Regulations
The maximum allowable wood dust emission for hardwood and softwood is 5 milligrams per cubic meter based on a time weighted average. The minimum test period is eight hours. Any test performed under seven hours will be at the discretion of the OSHA compliance officer conducting the test. All testing will be performed using Personal Sampling Devices. OSHA recommends a maximum sampling of 4 to 5 people at one time to insure the proper collection of data. Manufacturers performing their tests must have their samples analyzed by a certified industrial hygiene lab in order to be approved by OSHA.

Hermes Abrasives Antistatic Products
Hermes Abrasives Ltd. offers a complete line of antistatic products for narrow and wide belt sanding.