Anti-static material and method of making the material

Abstract

Polyethylene having a relatively high specific gravity is modified to inhibit the production of static charges. A weak salt having properties of ionizing and having its positive ions bond chemically to the polyethylene is mixed in the polyethylene. A chemical agent is also dispersed in the polyethylene and is provided with properties of facilitating the dispersion of the positive ions of the weak salt throughout the polyethylene of high specific gravity for chemical bonding to the polyethylene. The weak salt may be cupric acetate and the chemical agent may be an amine. The amine is preferably ethoxylated. The material of this invention may be formed as non-transparent bags or as sheets. The material may be formed by mixing the different chemicals and extruding the mixture under conditions of controlled temperatures and pressures and for controlled dwell times.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.