Is Your Powder Handling Process at Risk of Propagating Brush Discharges?
May 13, 2026
If you handle dry powders in bulk — flour, starch, resin powder, feed ingredients, or mineral powders — you've probably heard about dust explosions. What's less talked about, but just as dangerous, is propagating brush discharge (PBD). Unlike a simple spark, PBD can travel across a non-conductive fabric surface and ignite fine dust clouds with surprisingly low energy.
The question is: does your current bulk bag protect against it?
What Exactly Is Propagating Brush Discharge?
Propagating brush discharge occurs when electrostatic charge accumulates on the inner surface of an insulating material — in this case, the woven polypropylene fabric of a bulk bag. When the charge density exceeds the fabric's dielectric strength, a sudden, high-energy discharge rips across the surface.
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