Antistatic materials, as defined by the EIA and the ESD Association, refers to the property of a material that inhibits triboelectric charging. A material that inhibits the generation of static charges [generally less than 200 volts] from triboelectric generation is classified as antistatic. These materials would be arranged in the triboelectric series near cotton, a electrically neutral material. Materials ordered on either side of cotton generate some static charge, but in very small amounts.

Note: a material's anti-static characteristic does not necessarily correlate with its resistivity. An antistatic material can be conductive, dissipative, or even insulative. Only antistatic or dissipative antistatic materials should be used in ESD safe areas. Only contact with a conductive material can damage a charged device.