An anti-static glass coating raises surface conductivity so charge bleeds away instead of attracting dust. To get reliable results, write three items into your drawing note or RFQ: a surface resistivity or sheet resistance target, a minimum dry film thickness (DFT) with layer count, and a reference to IEC 61340-5-1 for programme requirements.
TL;DR:
- Specify a resistivity or sheet resistance target in ohms per square, test method and conditions, plus minimum dry film thickness and layer count.
- IEC 61340-5-1:2024 sets ESD program requirements, including isolated conductor voltages below 35 V; coatings should accompany grounding, handling procedures, and training.
- Tests and patent literature report 34–44% less dust on treated glass, but performance varies with geometry and environment, so request a reference comparison.
- ITO offers clarity with moderate resistance, while thicker graphite coatings generally tolerate handling better; lower resistance usually comes at the cost of optical clarity.
- Clean and degrease glass before coating, use plasma or chemical activation when specified, and verify continuity, pinholes, and thickness at agreed inspection points.
Table of Contents
- How do anti-static and ESD coatings dissipate charge?
- Where is anti-static glass used, and what can you expect from it?
- How do you prepare the surface and apply the coating?
- Which performance metrics and standards should you specify?
- How durable are anti-static glass coatings, and how should you maintain them?
- What belongs in an anti-static glass RFQ checklist?
- When should you move to a bespoke coating route?
- How do you request a quote from us for anti-static coated glass?
- FAQ
- Sources
How do anti-static and ESD coatings dissipate charge?
Glass is an insulator, so charge sits where it is generated. A coating lowers the surface resistance until that charge can leak to ground. A dissipative layer lets it drain gradually, while a conductive layer moves it away quickly.
You will meet several coating families in supplier literature. ITO and other metal oxide layers give good clarity with moderate sheet resistance. Two-part conductive polymer or graphite-filled coatings suit opaque or tinted work. Electroless metal coatings can deposit silver, gold or nickel layers on glass under optimised bath conditions. Photocatalytic TiO2 layers reduce static and also decompose organic residues under UV exposure, which ITO does not do.
Every option trades something. Lower sheet resistance usually costs optical clarity, and thin sputtered films are more exposed to abrasion than thick filled coatings.
Where is anti-static glass used, and what can you expect from it?
We see these coatings most often on touch and display windows, instrument covers, medical device optics, aerospace sensor windows and electronics enclosures. In each case the coating protects either the optical function (less dust on the surface) or the electronics behind the glass (less discharge risk).
Independent tests and patent literature report that treated surfaces collect 34–44% less dust than untreated glass. Treat that as a realistic planning range, not a guarantee for your geometry and environment.
A coating should rarely be your only protection. It works best as one element of an ESD control programme, alongside grounding, handling procedures and operator training. Where the glass is the only insulating surface in an otherwise controlled area, the coating can carry more of the load, but you should still verify it by measurement.
How do you prepare the surface and apply the coating?
Preparation decides adhesion, and adhesion decides lifetime. Start by cleaning and degreasing the glass. Where the data sheet requires it, add plasma or chemical activation to raise surface energy before coating.
Data sheets for two-part conductive systems typically give guidance in these areas:
- Layer count: specify the coat count, with DFT and wet film thickness (WFT) targets stated per coat.
- Mixing: a defined resin-to-hardener ratio, mixed thoroughly just before use.
- Pot life: a limited working window after mixing, so batch sizes should match the job.
- Equipment: spray tip size and pressure for atomised application, with brush or roller notes for small repairs.
- Inspection: visual checks for continuity and pinholes, plus thickness measurement at agreed points.
Ask your supplier to state these values for their own system rather than relying on generic figures. If you want a wider view of application routes, our overview of glass coating methods and industry applications covers them in more depth.
Which performance metrics and standards should you specify?
Specify the electrical outcome directly. Quote a surface resistivity or sheet resistance target in ohms per square, then state the test method and conditions. Dissipative behaviour sits at higher resistance values and conductive behaviour at lower ones, so name which one you need rather than writing “anti-static” alone.
For programme context, cite IEC 61340-5-1:2024, which sets the requirements for protecting electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena, including limiting isolated conductor voltages to below 35 V. Ask suppliers for a compliance statement where it is relevant to your product.
The acceptance tests worth requesting are:
- a dust-attraction comparison against uncoated reference glass;
- abrasion testing beyond Taber alone, as set out in our guide to abrasion tests for glass coatings;
- environmental cycling that reflects your operating humidity and temperature range.
How durable are anti-static glass coatings, and how should you maintain them?
Abrasion resistance varies widely by family. Thick graphite or carbon-filled two-part systems generally tolerate handling better than sputtered ITO or electroless metal layers, which are thin and rely on a protective environment. Match the family to how the surface will actually be touched.
If you want one coating to prevent both static and fogging, be cautious. Recent research shows that durable antifog polymer coatings can extend fogging time and wear resistance, yet permanent commercial antifog coatings remain limited. Combining two functions usually means compromising on one.
For maintenance, use only the cleaning fluids your supplier approves and set a cleaning interval that fits the environment. Avoid abrasive cloths and solvent-based cleaners unless the data sheet allows them, since either can strip or dull the conductive layer. Our guide on optimising glass durability adds lifecycle detail.
What belongs in an anti-static glass RFQ checklist?
Paste these items into your drawing note or procurement document:
- Coating family and the functional requirement (dissipative or conductive).
- Target sheet resistance or surface resistivity, with test method and conditions.
- Minimum DFT and number of layers.
- Optical transmission and haze limits.
- Abrasion pass criteria and the test methods used.
- Batch traceability for glass and coating materials.
- Cure and storage instructions.
- Environmental test reports and the sample size for verification.
- Test certificates and an IEC 61340-5-1 compliance statement where relevant.
When should you move to a bespoke coating route?
We fabricate glass for demanding sectors, with traceable production and engineering support behind every order. Our view is that an off-the-shelf coating suits standard geometries and moderate requirements. Once you need tight sheet resistance tolerances, a coating combined with anti-reflective or other layers, or a non-standard shape, a bespoke route saves time later. For the optical side, see our explainer on anti-reflective coating.
Ask any supplier for sample parts, measured resistance data and batch records before you commit. A coating that cannot be evidenced cannot be specified.
— Alexandra
How do you request a quote from us for anti-static coated glass?
We supply coated glass, optical windows and custom fabricated components. 
To request a quote, send us your drawings, target sheet resistance, expected volumes and the tests you want run. Our production is traceable. Start from our services page and tell us about your project.
FAQ
Can glass have static electricity?
Yes. Glass is an insulator, so charge generated by friction or contact stays on its surface instead of draining away. A conductive or dissipative coating gives that charge a path to leak off.
How long does glass coating last?
It depends on the coating family and how the surface is handled. Thicker filled systems generally resist abrasion better than thin sputtered or electroless layers, and approved cleaning methods extend life. Ask your supplier for abrasion and environmental test data on your specific system.
Is an anti-static coating enough on its own for ESD protection?
Usually not. IEC guidance treats coatings as one element of an ESD control programme, alongside qualification, training and compliance verification.
Can a coating be both anti-static and anti-fog?
It is possible to attempt, but trade-offs apply. Durable antifog coatings are still limited commercially, so confirm durability evidence before you specify a dual-function layer.
Sources
- Webstore
- Patents
- Pmc
- A review of electroless coatings on non-metals: Bath conditions, properties and applications
