What are Grounding Mats Made Of?

Unlike ordinary mats, grounding mats are made of conductive materials essential to effectively transfer electrical energy. Conductivity is critical for any grounding equipment, including a grounding mat.

This is because the conductive material enables the negative electrical energy from Earth’s surface to transfer from the ground port, through the wire, into the grounding mat, to the body via indirect transference.

Without the grounding mat being made of specific conductive material, the electrons would be unable to pass to the body. Read on to learn specifically what a grounding mat is made of below.

Conductive Material Is Essential to Transfer Electrical Energy

At least one layer of the grounding mat must be made of a conductive material. Conductivity refers to the ease at which electrical charge passes through a material. Since the electrons pass through the port, through the mat’s wire, and into the mat itself, the conductive material is essential to pass on the negative electrical charge to the body upon direct contact with the mat.

Double-sided grounding mats, though rare, do exist. These mats are made of conductive material on both sides of the mat. This enables the individual to ground both indoors using the provided cord and outdoors without a cord.

Since both sides of the mat are made of conductive material, when the double-sided grounding mat is in direct contact with the Earth’s surface, this allows electrons to freely transfer through the mat into the body.

Common Grounding Mat Materials for Top Layer

While the specific material of the grounding mat will depend on the brand of the mat, most grounding mats use Polyurethane (PU) leather infused with conductive carbon pigment as the top layer material of the mat (the side that comes in contact with the skin).

The conductive PU leather infused with carbon helps effectively transfer the negative energy from the grounding mat to the body.

PU leather is also more consumer-friendly than outdated PVC leathers, and most PU leathers used in grounding mats are vinyl-free and phthalate free.

The grounding mat will also come with a cord that you can attach from the mat to a nearby grounding port. The cord’s wires will help transfer the energy from the port to the grounding mat.

Related article: Grounding Mats – Which Side Should Be Up?

Common Grounding Mat Materials for Bottom Layer

Most grounding mats only have one conductive side. The other side (the bottom layer) of the grounding mat is made of non-conductive material called TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) closed cell foam. This rubber-like material is the same type of material used in footwear.

The non-slip material helps keep the mat from sliding so the individual using the grounding mat won’t fall. Additionally, since the bottom layer is made of a non-conductive material, this means you cannot effectively ground using your mat outdoors, you must have it plugged into a ground port to receive the electrons via indirect transference.