why did my anti-static mat bubble up like this?

[djacobow]

Occasionally, I will pick up everything and try to flatten it, but it's just a fact that the edge closer to me is "longer" than the rest, and has gotten wavy.

What's that about?

[ataradov]

Looks like either oils from the hands interacting with it somehow. Or just the mechanical stress from the hands.

[djacobow]

Maybe there's no hope for this mat, then, and I should just get a new one and maybe put some kind f wrist guard down in front of the keyboard.

[rdl]

Mine did that too. I lifted it up and sprayed a light coat of Krylon Crystal Clear on the table top, let it dry a couple of seconds, then dropped the mat down while it was still sticky. After making sure it was flattened out good with no bubbles I stacked several piles of books on top. Gave it a couple of days to dry and it's been fine ever since. Years now with no bubbles. It would probably be better to use some kind of spray adhesive, but I didn't have any so I experimented.

[jh15]

What is the make and model, so we could avoid it, or with some fixes make it better.

Is it OK for dropping some solder on? is it easy to cut, if your xacto blade slips? would screws poking out of a chassis puncture it?

[richnormand]

1)
I used Gorrila tape on the edge of mine. Still working very well after many years. The tape is pretty thick and resistant to stuff like IPA.
It's a two person job. One to pull the mat flat and aligned on the table edge and the other to stretch the tape on the edge.
2)
I note what looks like a heater underneath. If used there could it be the mat got overheated? Same with the WD40. Some mat compositions are incompatible with certain cleaners and chemicals....?

I would remove the mat entirely, put it on a flat floor and see if it is distorted or elongated on that edge only. If so, you might be able to swap that edge in the back of the bench and get the clean edge in the front.

Best of luck with it.

[djacobow]

What is the make and model, so we could avoid it, or with some fixes make it better.

Is it OK for dropping some solder on? is it easy to cut, if your xacto blade slips? would screws poking out of a chassis puncture it?

It was 66045 MAT, STATFREE T2, RUBBER BLUE, 0.060" x 24" x 48" from Desco Industries, ordered directly, 6 1/2 years ago. I should mention that I have another one of these exact mats, bought the same time on the other and of my bench, where I do all my assembly and rework, and that one has not gotten wavy. I rest my arms similarly, but I probably don't spend nearly as much time there.

It appears to be discontinued now, replaced by this model which noticeably claims more resistance to oils. Hrmm. https://desco.descoindustries.com/DescoCatalog/Worksurface-Mats/Rubber/Statfree-T2-Plus-Dual-Layer-Dissipative/Statfree-T2-Plus-Mat-Kits/66428/#.YJbLHrVKi5M

I have dropped solder and the soldering iron on these mats many times. They do not melt or burn at soldering temperatures. They do pick up stains from flux and whatnot. Xacto slips definitely will cut it. I've never tried cutting it purposefully.  Screws sticking out I don't think would make punctures.

[jh15]

thanks for the detailed reply to my question.