ISO 2878:2017

Overview

ISO 2878:2017 specifies a standardized test method to determine the electrical resistance of antistatic and conductive rubber products (vulcanized or thermoplastic) whose resistance between defined points does not exceed 3 × 10^8 Ω when new. The standard covers products whose conductivity is obtained by bulk additions (for example, carbon black or other conductive fillers). It defines electrode configurations for basic geometries and outlines apparatus, calibration, conditioning and procedural requirements for reliable factory or service testing.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and exclusions: Applies to rubber-based antistatic/conductive products made conductive by bulk additives. Does not apply to surfaces composed of mixed insulating & conductive areas, or products with substantial insulating surface area (footwear upper is a notable exception).
• Test instrument: Nominal open-circuit voltage 500 V DC preferred (insulation tester/ohmmeter). Instrument accuracy must determine resistance within ±10% and must not dissipate more than 3 W in the product. In disputes, applied voltage shall be ≥ 40 V (subject to power dissipation limit).
• Electrodes and contacts: Electrodes may be formed using conductive silver lacquer, colloidal graphite or a specified conductive liquid (polyethylene glycol/water/wetting agent/potassium chloride). Dried film surface resistivity should be < 100 Ω; contact areas must match electrode size without deforming the product.
• Calibration: Test apparatus must be calibrated per the schedule in Annex A and guided by ISO 18899 (rubber - guide to calibration).
• Conditioning & atmosphere:
  • Standard laboratory atmospheres: (23 ± 2) °C / (50 ± 5)% RH or (27 ± 2) °C / (65 ± 5)% RH (factory conditions allowed up to 70% RH by agreement).
  • Minimum time between manufacture and testing: 16 hours; recommended within three months.
  • Mechanical conditioning options: keep undeformed or strain once to normal-use maximum.
• Procedure highlights: Surface cleaning with fuller’s earth paste and distilled water (no buffing/abrasion); apply voltage and read resistance 5 ± 1 s after application; recondition samples 15 min–2 h before test.
• Sampling: Determined by product standard - small contact-point items: one test; larger products (tyres, sheeting, belting, pads): at least five representative tests.

Applications and users

ISO 2878:2017 is used by:

• Rubber product manufacturers (tyres, belts, tubing, pads, furniture feet)
• Quality control and testing laboratories
• Procurement and compliance teams specifying antistatic/conductive properties
• Designers and safety engineers managing electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electrical safety in industrial, electronic assembly, and hazardous-environment applications

Practical benefits include consistent test results for batch release, supplier validation, product specification compliance, and ESD mitigation verification.

Related standards

• ISO 1853 - resistivity measurement of specially prepared antistatic/conductive rubber test pieces
• ISO 18899 - guide to calibration of test equipment

Keywords: ISO 2878:2017, antistatic rubber, conductive rubber, electrical resistance test, carbon black, electrode configuration, ESD testing, rubber product testing.