What are the three types of ESD?

Author: Polly

May. 06, 2024

Environment

ESD Protective Packaging Solutions | News & Insights

Shipping electronic equipment is more challenging than shipping other forms of equipment due to the need for safeguarding the shipment from electric charges. Many forms of electronic goods are highly sensitive to electrical charges—even the minor static charges that usually build up due to friction—and can be ruined if not safeguarded properly.

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Of course, other materials can be impacted by the buildup of static electricity as well. In addition to electronic equipment, liquids or gases that are flammable must be safeguarded against static charges. To fail to properly protect these materials from static electricity can be dangerous and can lead to the loss of the shipment. The best way to protect your valuable and sensitive goods and—in the case of flammable gases or liquids—the property and lives of others is to utilize electrostatic discharge (ESD) materials in your packaging.

What is ESD?

Electrostatic discharge is the sudden movement of charged particles from one object to another upon the contact between the two objects. Put differently, static electricity is the jolt that occurs when two objects—both of which have an electrical charge—come in contact with one another. The most common illustration is the small shock that you get when you touch something conductive after walking across a carpet.

How does ESD occur?

There are two primary causes of ESD. The first is when two materials touch each other and then are separated, such as when you walk across the carpet and your feet first contact the carpet then are separated from it. This is called tribocharging, and it results in a gradual buildup of an electric charge. Then, when you touch something that is conductive, you feel the shock as the charge leaves your body.
Another cause of ESD is a process called electrostatic induction. This takes place when an item with an electric charge is placed near another item. If the second item is conductive—that is, it conducts electricity—and yet is insulated—meaning that it has an insufficient contact with the ground to allow it to discharge an electric charge—it will begin to build up a charge. Then, as with tribocharging, when it does touch something that is conductive, there will be a flow of electricity from it to the other item: a discharge of static electricity.
While static electricity may seem to be harmless relative to other forms of electrical current, the fact is that it can be extremely damaging to electrical components and can cause fires or explosions when it is introduced to flammable liquids or gases. This is true even of those ESD events that are so minor that you don't even feel them.

A Beginner's Guide for Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Films ...

3 Categories of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Films That You Should Know About

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) films offer effective protection against electrostatic discharge, a phenomenon wherein static electricity generates a flow of electric current between two objects of varying electric potentials. The very fact that electrostatic discharge has been one of the major restricting factors faced by semiconductor manufacturing industry, makes ESD films a valuable product in today’s world. ESD films are classified in three categories based on their working principle- conductive, dissipative, and anti-static.

Princy A. J  |  June 16, 2022

         

The electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges which create hindrances in realizing its full potential. Shortage in raw materials for manufacturing semiconductor chips is one of the important restricting factors of this industry. Similarly, a phenomenon known as electrostatic discharge is an important challenge faced by the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Electrostatic discharge can be defined as a sudden flow of electric charge from a high voltage potential to low voltage potential. The electric charge or current develops as a result of the buildup of static electricity due to accumulation of electrically charged electrons over a small area. Not just in electronic circuits, electrostatic discharge is a common phenomenon and occurs in the atmosphere too, resulting in lightning strikes. However, the electrostatic discharge that takes place in semiconductors is rather subtle and causes sparking in these circuits. Nonetheless, this sparking can render the circuits useless.

In order to counter the problem of electrostatic discharge, electrostatic discharge packaging materials have been devised. Electrostatic discharge packaging materials essentially protect the electronic circuits by restricting the flow of electric current between them. Electrostatic packaging materials come in different configurations such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) films, electrostatic discharge (ESD) stick magazines, electrostatic discharge (ESD) matric trays, etc. Of these configurations, electrostatic discharge (ESD) films are one of the most opted ESD packaging materials.

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Different Categories of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Films Available in the Market

Apart from the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry, the huge demand for electrostatic discharge (ESD) films from different sectors like food processing industry, medical sector, and aerospace industry has resulted in a massive boost in the electrostatic discharge (ESD) films market in the last few years. As a result, different types of ESD films are being marketed today to suit the needs of different industries and sectors. Basically, any electrostatic discharge (ESD) packaging material belongs to either of the three categories based on its properties- conductive, dissipative, or anti-static. The working of ESD films depend on the categories they belong, even though their main function remains the same.

  1. Conductive Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Films

Conductive ESD films have low electrical resistance, meaning electrons, and hence the electric current, can easily pass through these films. Hence, when an electronic circuit is packaged using a conductive ESD film, instead of passing the electric current onto other circuit, the current passes through the films, thereby avoiding electronic discharge between the two circuits. Since the conduction of electric charge through these films is pretty fast, conductive ESD films can offer a discharge even to the strongest electric currents.

  1. Dissipative Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Films

Dissipative ESD materials are different from conductive materials as they slow down the flow of electrons to the ground. Thus, the flow of the electric charge is in a controlled manner than that in conductive materials. A unique feature of dissipative ESD films is that they offer protection to the electronic components from the atmospheric moisture. In fact, these films soak in the moisture from the air to form a layer of water molecules over the surface of the film which, in turn, makes it difficult to generate and pass electric current.

  1. Anti-Static Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Films

Anti-static electrostatic discharge films mainly focus on inhibiting triboelectric charging. Triboelectric charging is a type of static electricity wherein the contact electrification occurs upon separation of two electrically charged objects. Anti-static ESD films are extensively used in the aerospace industry as a protective material to cover and protect sensitive spacecraft components and equipment.

Recent Trends in Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Films Market

In the last few years, some major players of this industry have claimed to have invented extra-conductive ESD material which is suitable for discharging very strong electric currents. Also, a new kind of ESD film is launched recently which offers protection from corrosion and UV rays. This ESD film is said to be based on a technology called as Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibitor Technology, which protects the semiconductors and metals from rust, oxidation, and tarnish. Moreover, the company, Cortec Corporation, which is involved in the research of this ESD film claims that the film is non-toxic and recyclable. Thus, the electrostatic discharge (ESD) market is undergoing a massive upheaval due to stunning innovations and technological advancements. This will surely help both the ESD films market as well as the electronics manufacturing market in the long run.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.

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