ELASTOCON EE 03 Volume Resistivity Tester
| Brand | ELASTOCON |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sweden |
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | EE 03 |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
| Standard Compliance | ISO 1853 |
| Measurement Range | 10⁻¹ to 10⁸ Ω·m |
| Electrode Configuration | Fixed Electrode Head with Integrated High-Sensitivity Ammeter and Selectable Voltmeter Modules |
Overview
The ELASTOCON EE 03 Volume Resistivity Tester is a precision-engineered instrument designed specifically for the quantitative evaluation of bulk electrical resistance in elastomeric and polymeric materials. It operates on the principle of direct-current (DC) two-electrode or three-electrode measurement, in strict accordance with ISO 1853:2018 — “Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of volume resistivity.” The system applies a stable, calibrated DC voltage across a standardized sample geometry while measuring the resulting leakage current through a high-impedance, low-noise ammeter integrated directly into the electrode head. This architecture minimizes parasitic interference, eliminates lead resistance errors, and ensures traceable, repeatable results across the full specified range of 0.1 to 100,000,000 Ω·m (10⁻¹ to 10⁸ Ω·m). Unlike generic multimeters or benchtop electrometers, the EE 03 incorporates material-specific electrode spacing, surface-contact geometry, and guard-ring functionality—critical for eliminating surface conduction artifacts when characterizing semi-conductive rubber compounds used in antistatic flooring, ESD-safe conveyor belts, and automotive shielding components.
Key Features
- Integrated electrode head with fixed, parallel-plate configuration compliant with ISO 1853 specimen requirements (diameter: 100 mm ± 0.5 mm; thickness: 2.0–6.0 mm)
- Multi-range DC voltage source (10 V, 100 V, 500 V, and 1000 V) with programmable dwell time and automatic polarity reversal to mitigate electrode polarization effects
- High-sensitivity electrometer-grade ammeter (resolution down to 0.1 fA, full-scale ranges from 1 pA to 200 µA)
- Dual-voltmeter capability: selectable internal reference voltmeter for source monitoring and external input for third-party calibration verification
- Thermally stabilized housing with EMI-shielded enclosure to suppress environmental noise during low-current measurements
- Front-panel digital display with real-time current/voltage readout, auto-ranging, and pass/fail threshold indicators per user-defined limits
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The EE 03 accommodates solid, homogeneous rubber and plastic specimens meeting ISO 1853 dimensional tolerances—including vulcanized natural rubber (NR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and carbon-black-filled thermoplastics. Surface preparation (e.g., solvent cleaning, controlled humidity conditioning per ISO 2781) is required prior to testing. The instrument satisfies metrological traceability requirements under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 when operated within its certified environmental envelope (23 ± 2 °C, 50 ± 5 % RH). It supports audit-ready documentation for GLP and GMP environments through optional analog output (0–10 V) and RS-232 interface for external data logging systems.
Software & Data Management
While the EE 03 operates as a standalone benchtop unit, it supports optional PC-based data acquisition via ASCII-protocol serial communication. ELASTOCON’s proprietary EE-Link software (Windows 10/11 compatible) enables automated test sequencing, multi-sample batch reporting, statistical process control (SPC) charting (X̄-R, Cpk), and export to CSV, PDF, or XML formats compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements—including electronic signatures, audit trails, and user-access level management. All raw measurement timestamps, voltage/current values, and operator IDs are embedded in metadata without post-processing interpolation.
Applications
- Quality control of conductive rubber compounds for static-dissipative tires and industrial rollers
- R&D validation of carbon nanotube or graphene-loaded polymer composites targeting specific resistivity thresholds (e.g., 10⁴–10⁶ Ω·m for ESD packaging)
- Regulatory compliance testing for ISO 21182 (electrostatic properties of rubber products) and IEC 61340-2-3 (electrostatics — Part 2-3: Methods of test for determining resistance and resistivity)
- Failure analysis of insulation breakdown in cable jacketing materials exposed to thermal aging or ozone degradation
- Batch-to-batch consistency assessment in high-volume production of antistatic footwear soles and cleanroom mats
FAQ
Does the EE 03 support four-terminal (Kelvin) resistivity measurement?
No. The EE 03 implements a two-terminal configuration with guarded electrodes per ISO 1853; four-terminal methods are not applicable for volume resistivity of homogeneous elastomers.
Can it measure surface resistivity?
No. Surface resistivity requires concentric ring electrodes per ISO 3915; the EE 03 is configured exclusively for volume resistivity using parallel plates.
Is calibration certification included with shipment?
Yes. Each unit ships with an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration certificate (NIST-traceable standards), valid for 12 months from date of issue.
What sample conditioning protocols are recommended prior to testing?
Per ISO 2781, specimens must be conditioned at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % RH for ≥16 hours; surface contaminants shall be removed using isopropanol and lint-free wipes.
Is the instrument suitable for use in Class 100 cleanrooms?
Yes, provided ambient temperature and humidity remain within specification; the unit features static-dissipative casing and no internal fans or moving parts that generate particulates.
