Type B FIBC bulk bags, built to stop brush discharges.
Woven polypropylene with a low breakdown voltage, so the dangerous propagating brush discharge cannot form. No grounding required, but Type B is not an antistatic bag and does not suit flammable atmospheres.
Blocks one discharge, not all of them.
Type B fabric is built so its breakdown voltage stays under 6 kV when tested to IEC 61340-4-4. At that level, static charge on the bag wall breaks through the fabric before it can build into a propagating brush discharge, which is the high-energy discharge that can ignite combustible dust. Type B does not conduct charge away, so ordinary sparks are still possible.
- Breakdown voltage under 6 kV Tested on the finished fabric, not assumed from the material.
- No ground connection Type B works without grounding. Do not treat it as groundable.
- Liner compatibility matters A standard insulating PE liner can reintroduce the risk. Specify a liner suited to Type B use.
- Same build range as Type A Body styles, tops, bottoms and loop options are largely the same.
Is Type B the right bag for your product?
Use this as a first screen. Your own hazard assessment, product data and local codes decide the final answer.
Where Type B fits
- Combustible powders with a minimum ignition energy above 3 mJ
- Dry goods where a dust cloud may form but no flammable vapour is present
- Chemical and mineral powders assessed as low sensitivity
- Plastics and resin powders with a known, higher MIE
- Operations that need more protection than Type A without grounding discipline
Where it does not
- Flammable solvents, vapours or gases anywhere in the area
- Powders with a minimum ignition energy of 3 mJ or less
- Atmospheres rated for explosive gases
- Use with an insulating liner that has not been checked for compatibility
- Any case where you cannot confirm the product's MIE
Type B build summary.
Size, fill weight, closures and liners are set to your line. These are the fixed points.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Woven polypropylene with breakdown voltage under 6 kV |
| Standard | IEC 61340-4-4 electrostatic test method |
| Safe working load | 500 to 2,200 kg (1,100 to 4,400 lb) |
| Safety factor | 5:1 single-trip, 6:1 multi-trip |
| Body styles | U-panel, 4-panel, circular, baffle (Q-bag), conical, loop |
| Options | Compatible liners, sift-proof seams, UV stabilisation, printing |
Type A, B, C and D side by side.
| Type | Construction | Grounding | Use it for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | Plain woven PP, no static protection | No | Non-flammable dry goods only, no flammable vapours or combustible dust |
| Type B | Low breakdown-voltage fabric (< 6 kV) | No | Combustible dusts with MIE > 3 mJ; no solvent vapours |
| Type C | Conductive yarn grid | Mandatory | Combustible powders and flammable atmospheres (MIE ≤ 3 mJ), grounded during filling |
| Type D | Antistatic yarns, corona discharge | Not required | Combustible materials and flammable atmospheres without ground cables |
This guide describes bag construction. It is not a hazardous-area classification. Confirm the product's minimum ignition energy and your area rating with your safety officer before choosing a type.
Three details get you an exact quote.
Your product
Name, bulk density and, for powders, the minimum ignition energy if you have it.
Your handling
Fill weight, fill and discharge method, lifting setup and whether the area is classified.
Your volume
Dimensions, quantity per order or per quarter, and delivery location in Canada or the USA.
Type B FIBC, answered.
01Is Type B an antistatic bag?
No. It limits one specific hazard, the propagating brush discharge. It does not dissipate charge, so it is not a substitute for Type C or D around flammable atmospheres.
02Do I need to ground a Type B bag?
No, and grounding does not make it safer. If grounding is part of your safety plan, you need Type C.
03Can I use a PE liner in a Type B bag?
Only if the liner has been checked for the application. Insulating liners can bring back the discharge risk the fabric was designed to remove.
04How do I know if my powder is below the 3 mJ line?
Ask your supplier for the minimum ignition energy from the product's safety data or a dust explosibility test. If it is unknown, treat it as low and specify Type C or D.
Ready to spec your Type B FIBC?
Send your product, fill weight and handling setup. We will confirm the right type and reply with factory-direct pricing, usually within one business day.