What are the Types of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Packaging?

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) packaging materials are made of plastic, which protects electro-sensitive products or devices that contain inflammable liquids or gases. A variety of materials are used to produce ESD packaging, and these material share a key feature i.e. a high level of surface resistivity. The most common materials used for electrostatic discharge packaging are typically rated no more than 1.0 x 103 ohm-cm of surface resistances.

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Abhinav Chandrayan  |  April 28, 2022

         

Over the last two decades, concerns about electrostatic discharge (ESD) have waxed and waned. For computer disk drive manufacturers, the percentage of defective units increased dramatically without careful attention to ESD in the production process. There are several number of scenarios that can result in serious damage to the electronic circuit boards and other ESD sensitive products, especially when it comes to uncontainable exposure to electrostatic hazards after these products leave the factory. With the help of electrostatic discharge (ESD) packaging, auto manufacturers transport the ever-increasing number of circuit boards that are found in an average vehicle.

ESD packaging bolsters the protection of the finished product against standard physical damage. It prevents charges from getting inside the package and also resists and dissipates any charges on the exterior. ESD packaging is majorly used in automotive, manufacturing, defense & military, aerospace, healthcare, and other industries. The increasing use of electrostatic discharge packaging in various end use industries is driving the growth of the ESD packaging market. By 2027, the global electrostatic discharge (ESD) packaging market is expected to generate a revenue of $5,773.1 million, increasing from $2,984.0 million in 2019.

The Science Behind ESD Packaging

A variety of materials are used to produce ESD packaging, and these material share a key feature i.e. a high level of surface resistivity. The most common materials used for electrostatic discharge packaging are typically rated no more than 1.0 x 103 ohm-cm of surface resistances. However, different materials have different levels of resistance, thereby affecting their overall effectiveness at guarding their contents against ESD.

Specific requirements and descriptions for packaging can be found in IEC 61340. The guidelines listed below define the three levels of ESD packaging:

• Proximity packaging that can enclose the product
• Intimate packaging that can directly contact the product
• Secondary packaging (used only for physical protection)

Different requirements for ESD packaging have different manufacturing environments depending on the final product’s overall electrostatic sensitivity.

The Different Types of ESD Packaging

There is a wide-ranging variety of ESD packaging options. Based on the material used, they all fall into one of three categories:

1. Anti-static Material: These materials are most commonly used in electrostatic discharge applications, mainly packaging for shipment. Anti-static materials prevents the buildup of static electricity and inhibit tribocharging.
    
2. Conductive Material: These materials conduct electric charges away from the objects that are stored, just like a lightning rod directs electrical charges away from a building. Conductive material prevents a charge from building in & around the stored materials.
    
3. Dissipative Material: These materials slow the flow of electricity and lessens the strength of the electrical charge, which helps in protecting the stored materials from several strong charges.

Of these above mentioned materials, anti-static materials are most commonly used in ESD packaging. However, all three types of materials can be used, depending on the requirement and needs. All the materials of ESD packaging can be used in a range of forms and some examples are provided below:

1. Stretch Film: It is shrink wrap treated with chemicals to instill electrostatic discharge preventative properties. Stretch films tend to be anti-static and can be used like normal shrink wrap by applying it by a machine or hand to packages, pallets, or individual items.
    
2. Bags and Tubing: The plastic bags & tubing come in a wide range of materials depending on the application needs. These items can be used for individual wrapping of electronics of different sizes.
    
3. Shielding Bags: These bags are significantly more effective compared to the typical anti-static bags. Shielding bags disperse electromagnetic charges along the exterior surfaces of the product pouches. These bags are treated plastic and are made of aluminum.

The Bottom Line

ESD packaging materials may have additional properties for protecting sensitive components from other potentially damaging factors, like vibration and moisture. The primary aim of electrostatic discharge packaging is protecting a finished product from any electrostatic discharge en route from the manufacturing point to its final destination. Also, ESD packaging is intended to offer physical and twofold protection to the contained goods.

About the Author(s)

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Abhinav Chandrayan

Abhinav Chandrayan has worked in the Writing industry for 2 years, gaining experience in Media & Advertising and Market Research Industry. As a seasoned writer, he is passionate about advancing his writing skills by reading and working on versatile domains. In addition to writing, he is also involved in filmmaking, where his films have won many awards at International Film Festivals.

Related Post

March 19, 2020  11:17 am

Static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD), is an electrical charge at rest, it builds and looks for somewhere to go. The discharge can cause three types of damage: catastrophic, latent and upset failure.

Lightning is probably the most recognizable effect of static electricity. Generating millions and millions of volts, and we all know the damage lightning can do to property and people.

Another recognizable effect of static electricity is the shock you receive when you slid out of a car in dry weather conditions and feel a zap. The human body feels a shock when the voltage is higher than about 3,500 volts. Walking over a carpet can generate 35,000 volts. The Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) from this voltage can cause pain. The discharge is not life threatening but it still hurts!

In simple words, static electricity is the imbalance of charges. The main electronic component affected by these devious charges are semiconductors. Static electricity causes damage to sensitive electronic components, so if one brings it near electronics, there will be failure.

The static electricity that concerns the electronics industry is the discharge that you cannot feel or see. Static electricity at low voltage levels is real even though you cannot feel or see it. Integrated circuits (IC’s) have different levels of ESD sensitivity. Electrostatic voltages can be generated by the things we do all the time such as brushing your hair or rubbing your clothes together.

Today, most companies recognize the value of a complete static control program. Implementing a static control program may cost a few dollars in the beginning but in the long term can save money, boost reliability of product, and enhance a company’s reputation in the field.

A catastrophic failure of an electronic component can be the least costly type of ESD damage as it may be detected and repaired at an early manufacturing stage. Latent and upset damage caused by ESD is potentially costlier since damage occurs that cannot be felt, seen or detected through normal inspection procedures. These defects can be very expensive as the product passes all inspection steps and the product is completed and shipped. The defects can severely impact the reputation of a company’s product causing intermittent failures after shipping a product that can be frustrating, particularly when the customer returns a product.

It is critical to be aware of the most sensitive items being handled in your factory. As electronic technology advances, electronic circuitry gets progressively smaller. As the size of components is reduced, so is the microscopic spacing of insulators and circuits within them, increasing their sensitivity to ESD. The need for proper ESD protection increases every day. A systematic static control program can add to your company’s bottom line.

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