Overview
ISO 1853:2018 - "Conducting and dissipative rubbers, vulcanized or thermoplastic - Measurement of resistivity" defines laboratory methods for measuring the volume resistivity of rubber compounds made conducting or dissipative by additives such as carbon black or ionizable materials. The standard covers preparation, conditioning and instrumental requirements for test pieces and describes three measurement methods (Method 1, Method 2 and Method 3). It is intended for materials with resistivity below the upper limit given in the standard and is commonly cited as the reference procedure for resistivity testing of conductive and antistatic rubbers.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test methods:
- Method 1 - preferred default when test pieces do not have bonded electrodes (used if the method is not specified).
- Method 2 - preferred when test pieces are moulded with bonded electrodes.
- Method 3 - alternative when Method 1 or 2 apparatus is not available; lower accuracy.
- Test-piece dimensions and conditioning:
- Widths: (10 ± 0.5) mm or (20 ± 0.5) mm; length at least 95 mm; typical thicknesses 2 mm, 4 mm or 6.3 mm with ±5% uniformity.
- Allow test pieces to rest for not less than 16 h after vulcanization or moulding (conditioning per ISO 23529).
- Electrode and measurement details:
- Current and potentiometric electrode arrangements, with potentiometric contact forces of approximately 0.65 N for 10 mm and 1.3 N for 20 mm test pieces.
- Minimum spacing between current electrodes is specified (≥75 mm).
- Use of an electrometer or current-measuring device and a calibrated test circuit; calibration schedule included in Annex B.
- Apparatus calibration and reporting: calibration according to Annex B and guidance from ISO 18899; specified test report contents and expression of results.
Applications and practical value
- Ensures repeatable, comparable volume resistivity measurements for conductive and dissipative (antistatic) rubbers, supporting product development, quality control and compliance testing.
- Useful for manufacturers of rubber flooring, conveyor belts, cable jackets, seals and components where static dissipation or controlled conductivity is required.
- Helps safety and compliance teams evaluate materials for electrostatic discharge mitigation and for limiting leakage currents in environments with live mains equipment.
- Guides laboratories in choosing suitable test methods, electrode systems and conditioning to avoid artefacts due to contact resistance, temperature or strain sensitivity.
Who uses this standard
- Test laboratories and quality control teams in rubber and polymer manufacturing.
- R&D engineers developing conductive or antistatic rubber formulations (e.g., carbon-black filled compounds).
- Safety engineers, procurement and compliance professionals specifying materials for electrostatic-sensitive environments.
Related standards
- ISO 14309 - Determination of volume and/or surface resistivity.
- ISO 18899:2013 - Guide to the calibration of test equipment.
- ISO 23529 - Procedures for preparing and conditioning test pieces.
Keywords: ISO 1853:2018, conducting rubbers, dissipative rubbers, measurement of resistivity, volume resistivity, carbon black, test methods, electrometer, electrode systems, laboratory testing.