Electrostatic discharge packaging materials are developed using plastic, used for protecting electro-sensitive devices or products containing inflammable gases or liquids. Various types of materials are utilized for developing ESD packaging, with these materials sharing a common feature, which is a significant surface resistivity rate. The commonly used materials for electrostatic discharge packaging are generally rated no more than 1.0 x 103 ohm-cm of surface resistance.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) packaging enhances the protection level of the finished item against any physical damage. It stops the charges from going inside the package while also resisting and dissipating any charges that can go on the exterior. ESD packaging has extensive applications in manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, defense & military, and other industries. The accelerated usage of electrostatic discharge packaging in diverse end-use sectors will ensure sustained demand in the next several years.
So, What is the Science Behind Electrostatic Discharge Packaging?
Different materials help create ESD packaging, with these materials all boasting of a significant surface resistivity rate. But various materials have different resistance levels, which affects their overall ability to guardtheir contents and products against ESD.
Specific descriptions and requirements for packaging are present in IEC 61340. The guidelines reveal the three ESD packaging levels:
- Intimate packaging ? This comes directly in contact with the product.
- Secondary packaging ? It is used for physical protection and nothing else.
- Proximity packaging ? Used for enclosing the product.
What are the Different Types of ESD Packaging?
ESD packaging options are available in a wide-ranging variety. Depending on the material utilized, these fall under the following categories:
- Dissipative Material: These are the types of materials that are known for slowing down the electricity flow while reducing the electrical charge?s strength. This in turn helps protect the stored materials from various strong charges.
- Conductive Material: These types of materials areknown for steering away the electric charges from the objects in store. Conductive materials don?t allow a charge to form around and inside the stored materials.
- Anti-static Material: These are the types of materials with extensive use in a variety of electrostatic discharge applications, primarily in packaging for shipment. These materials don?t allow static electricity to build up and alsocurbtribocharging.
Some Major Examples of ESD Packaging
Static-Shielding
Static-shielding tubing and bags are also called transparent metallic shielding. These multilayer tubings and bags are metallic and semi-transparent and safeguard sensitive items from electrostatic fields. The outer layer is static-dissipative and low-charging, with the second conductive layer containing metal that suppresses the electric fields. It also has a layer that is made of polyester, which offers added puncture and tear strength.
These kinds of bags are available in two forms, namely metal-in, as well as metal-out. The metal-in bags are less expensive and more durable, wherein the metal layer is deep inside the bag. If there is a need for highly rapid static-dissipation, the better option will be metal-out bagging. Although it is expensive, it offers a higher level of protection by keeping the metal layer closer to the bagging?s surface.
Static-Dissipative
Static-dissipative tubing and bags are also called pink anti-static (PAS) owing to their color. They are affordable and offer protection from static dissipation. These kinds of bags are ideally best for a number ofnon-vital applications that require no protection from static fields.
Black Conductive Tubing
Another type of static control for the packaging, known as ‘black conductive’, is commonly found in layflat bagging and tube stocks but is customizable. It’s made out ofone layer of conductive material that protects the contents from isolated static charges building up.
The use of anti-static packaging offers a plethora of benefits such as reduced costs as well as stress, and a great reduction in damaged goods. It also prevents dust accumulation on the products, helping them shine and stored for a long time on the shelf to attract the attention of more consumers.
Electrostatic Discharge Packaging Market Status Quo
The escalating use of electrostatic discharge packaging in a number of major end-use sectors including defense and military, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace will be highly favorable for the worldwide market in the next couple of years.
Furthermore, the players? rising spending on biodegradable electrostatic discharge packages will present lucrative opportunities for the market in subsequent years. Apart from this, the rising investments in biodegradable electrostatic discharge packages by most well-known companies will also give rise to attractive opportunities for the ESD packaging industry in the ensuing years. The biodegradable packages are lightweight in nature and cost much less that their counterparts.
Moreover, the extensive applications of electrostatic discharge packaging in the consumer electronics and computer peripheral sectors for use in procuring and transferring electronic products from one point to another will be a favorable factor. Surging deployment of ESD packages in the consumer electronic & computer peripheral sector will ensure a highly lucrative future for the worldwide market.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
