Before You Buy: Anti Static vs. Static Shielding Bags

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With regards to flexible packaging design, an &#;anti static&#; bag is any bag made with anti static polymers so that when it rubs or touches other materials it does not create static. Essentially, an anti static bag prevents itself from holding charge. Since it is not holding a charge, it cannot release charge as electrostatic discharges (ESD) when it is laying on a grounded surface.

The term &#;anti static&#; refers to the upper static dissipative range- usually defined as between 1 x and less than 1 x ohms / square. Polyethylene and polyesters used in bags for static control are always in this &#;anti static&#; range.

Commonly anti static bags are tinted (usually pink or blue) and made of a single layer of polyethylene (PE) with static dissipative coatings sputtered onto them. These bags do not stop ESD, but they prevent the build-up of static charges on their surfaces that precedes ESD.

Whether an anti static bag is &#;static shielding&#; depends upon whether it incorporates conductive materials, like aluminum or carbon, into its design.

A static shielding bag presents a conductive barrier to ESD in addition to allowing charges to dissipate off it.

&#;Static Shielding&#; as a term usually refers to bags that use aluminum. This gives the bags a silver transparent sheen.

Elimstat Shielding Bags are &#;Metal-In&#; &#; made with the conductive aluminum layer buried between two antistatic layers. Bags can also be constructed &#;metal-out&#;.Polyester with a thin layer of aluminum sputtered onto its surface is laminated to anti-static polyethylene. The resulting structure can be used to make a bag that forms a Faraday cage around ESD sensitive electronics and is heat sealable. The material is translucent allowing the contents of the packaging, including barcodes, to be read through the bag.

Posted: January 23rd,  Author: Jim Higgs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Static Shielding Bags
How Do Static Shielding Bags Work?
What Are Static Shielding Bags Used For?
Pros
Cons
Types of Static Shield Packaging
Anti-Static Bags
How Do Anti-Static Bags Work?
What Are Anti-Static Bags Used For?
Pros
Cons
Types of Anti-Static Packaging
Static Shielding Bags Vs. Anti-Static Bags

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Anti-static bags are only static dissipative, whereas static shielding bags are both static dissipative and static shielding by means of a Faraday cage. When a static charges come in contact with anti-static bags, the charge is quickly shed with no build-up of static &#; however, the charge could penetrate the wall of the bags and contact the packaged devices. Static shielding bags for electronics and similar devices provides a shield for the packaged devices from penetrating static.

Anti-static bags and static shielding bags will protect electronics from electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD and moisture could impact the functionality of  electronic devices and can shorten their life. Proper packaging will keep your contents dry and will protect electronics from static discharge.

We will help you discover which type of static resistant bag is right for the transportation, shipping and handling of your electronics item. Below are the unique features, materials and use of both anti-static and static shielding bags.

WHAT ARE STATIC SHIELDING BAGS

Static shielding bags can be used for shipping, transportation or storage of static sensitive electronics. Some devices are so sensitive to electricity that even the static shock from human touch could limit functionality. Sealed static shielding bags will guard your electronic devices against ESD related damage by eliminating static build-up created by the rubbing of surfaces, also called tribocharging. Additionally, by the Faraday cage effect, charges are prevented from penetrating the wall of the bags.

HOW DO STATIC SHIELDING BAGS WORK?

An ESD can occur when there is an excess buildup of static electricity. The material within static shielding bags contain multiple layers, including a metalized protective layer. The metalized layer creates a Faraday cage effect around the packaged electronic devices.

The Faraday cage effect acts as a shield against external static electric fields, in addition, the static dissipative coating on both the inside and outside layer of the bag continually remove and prevent the build-up of static electricity.

WHAT ARE STATIC SHIELDING BAGS USED FOR?

Static shielding bags prevent the buildup of static electricity and are ideal for transporting and packing static sensitive items such as:

• Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Disk drivers
• Resistors
• Memory cards
• Populated circuit boards
• Processors
• Semiconductors
• Other sensitive integrative circuits (ICs)

PROS

Static shielding bags provide an extra measure of protection when compared to anti-static bags. Static shielding bags protect electronics from exposure to static electricity and also protect electronics against an ESD from penetrating the wall of the bag. The multi-layer construction provides a good moisture barrier when the bag is heat sealed closed. Static shielding bags can also be a part of a fire prevention program where strong static charges are in proximity to flammable items.

CONS

Static shielding bags must be completely sealed or closed in order to be fully effective. It&#;s important to exercise an extra measure of caution when shipping sharp objects that could compromise the integrity of the bag.

TYPES OF STATIC SHIELD PACKAGING

Static shielding bags are both static dissipative and static shielding, but there is another level of protection to be had in a Moisture Barrier Bag (MBB). An MBB provides all the benefits static shielding bags do, plus protection against moisture or water vapor. The bags must be heat sealed and sometimes vacuum sealed. Also MBB are typically much thicker and have greater puncture resistance than static shielding bags.

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