Dec. 09,
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In today's technological era, where sensitive electronic components dominate our lives, it is crucial to protect them from static electricity and potential damage. This is where ESD bags come into play. ESD bags, short for ElectroStatic Discharge bags, are specially designed to prevent electrostatic discharge, ensuring the safety and longevity of electronic devices. In this comprehensive FAQ guide, we will delve into all aspects of ESD bags, their importance, types, and key considerations when choosing high-quality ESD bags.
1. What are ESD bags?
ESD bags are specialized packaging materials used to store and transport sensitive electronic components. They are constructed with materials that offer high electrical resistance, preventing static build-up, and shielding the contents from electrostatic discharge.
2. How do ESD bags work?
ESD bags work by employing a multilayered structure with an outer layer of low charging material, a middle layer that provides physical protection, and an inner layer with anti-static properties. This design ensures that any electrostatic charge generated on the bag is effectively dissipated to ground, safeguarding the enclosed components.
3. Why are ESD bags essential?
Electronic components are highly sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Even a small discharge can cause permanent damage, leading to costly failures or malfunctioning of devices. ESD bags act as a barrier, preventing the build-up and transfer of static electricity, thus preserving the integrity of the components.
1. What are the different types of ESD bags?
There are various types of ESD bags available, each catering to specific needs. These include:
a) Metalized Shielding Bags: These bags have a metal layer that provides excellent protection against both electrostatic and electromagnetic interference.
b) Anti-Static Bags: These bags are treated with an anti-static coating to minimize static charges and offer basic protection.
c) Static Shielding Bags: These bags have a metallic layer along with an antistatic coating, offering superior protection against static electricity and external electromagnetic fields.
2. How to identify high-quality ESD bags?
When selecting ESD bags, consider the following factors:
a) Surface Resistance: Look for bags with a surface resistance of less than 10^11 ohms, as this ensures efficient dissipation of static charges.
b) Durability: High-quality ESD bags are puncture-resistant, ensuring the enclosed components remain safe during handling and transportation.
c) Compliance Standards: Ensure the bags meet industry standards, such as ANSI/ESD S20.20, to guarantee their efficacy.
1. What are the benefits of using ESD bags?
ESD bags offer numerous benefits, including:
a) Protection: ESD bags shield electronic components from static charge, preventing damage and data loss.
b) Versatility: They can be used for various applications, including storing, shipping, and handling sensitive components.
c) Cost Savings: By preventing costly damages caused by electrostatic discharge, ESD bags save businesses from potential financial losses.
2. Where are ESD bags commonly used?
ESD bags find extensive usage in industries like electronics manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, medical device manufacturing, and even home electronics. They are essential whenever delicate electronic components need protection from static electricity.
1. How should ESD bags be handled?
To ensure the effectiveness of ESD bags, follow these guidelines:
a) Use proper grounding techniques when handling ESD bags.
b) Avoid opening ESD bags in uncontrolled environments where static charges may accumulate.
c) Keep ESD bags sealed until the components are ready for use.
2. How should ESD bags be disposed of?
ESD bags should not be reused if they are damaged or contaminated. Dispose of them as per local regulations for plastics and non-recyclable materials.
ESD bags play a vital role in protecting sensitive electronic components from the dangers of electrostatic discharge. Understanding their types, benefits, and proper handling is crucial in ensuring the integrity of electronic devices. When selecting ESD bags, prioritize high-quality options adhering to industry standards. By utilizing ESD bags, you can safeguard your electronic components, prolong their lifespan, and avoid costly damages caused by static electricity.
Anti-static bags are essential for the safe handling and storage of static sensitive components and devices. When shipping electronic components or devices, many manufacturers will require you to use some form of anti-static packaging to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Thus, anti-static bags are provided to help ensure optimum performance and protection in each shipment. Read on to find out more about ESD bags.
Anti-static bags are effective ESD control products, particularly if you&#;re going to be shipping or transporting items which are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. However, it&#;s important to understand how these ESD control products work so you can determine which ones are suitable for your needs. When it comes to safe shipping for ESD-sensitive items, both dissipative packaging and static shielding packaging are effective choices.
Reduced damaged goods
Using the right type of anti-static packaging can prevent static electricity from building up and discharging onto the static sensitive component. ESD is one of the leading causes of component damage.
Reduced costs
Protecting your static sensitive components with anti-static packaging will help to reduce the likelihood of ESD damage. This means you will save money on product repair or replacement costs.
Increased efficiency
The lack of damaged static sensitive components will enhance the efficiency and, in turn, will reduce the amount of product returns.
Increased longevity
ESD and moisture damage can have a devastating effect on static sensitive components. Using anti-static packaging will ultimately protect your static sensitive components from this damage and therefore increase their longevity.
Increased customer satisfaction
Latent damage to a static sensitive device can be hard to identify, and because of this, the product may accidentally be shipped to a customer without realising it is in fact damaged. The device may still continue to perform its intended function but the operating life of the device may be reduced greatly. This can frustrate the customer as they would have to wait for a new one to be shipped.
Using anti-static packaging can reduce the risk of an ESD event from occurring in the first place. This ensures that any component or device shipped to the customer will be at optimal performance; increasing customer satisfaction.
Static Dissipative Packaging
Standard polyethylene bags can create a static build up when the polyethylene rubs against itself or another surface. If static sensitive components, such as SMD components, GPUs or integrated circuits, are placed inside these P E bags, a damaging amount of static build up could cause them to malfunction.
Opposed to standard polyethylene bags, static dissipative packaging increases resistance which protects better against an ESD (i.e. between 1 meg-ohm (10^6) and meg-ohm (10^9). This type of packaging is suitable for non-critical environments.
Static Shielding Packaging
Often known as metallised bags, static shielding packaging is made to protect items from static build up in the same way that static dissipative and anti static packaging does, but it also goes a step further and protects against contact with external static charges. Static shielding bags provide a conductive barrier against ESD, also known as a &#;Faraday Cage&#;, which protects any static sensitive components inside the bag.
Metallised bags contain various layers, Bondline&#;s metal bags typically consist of four layers: static dissipative coating, polyester, aluminium shield and static dissipative polyethylene. The presence of these layers provides a protective environment for the static sensitive components inside the bag and ensures they can be transported or stored without being harmed by static build up or external static charges.
Static shielding packaging should be used for all electronic components, devices, boards and assemblies.
Structure of Bondline&#;s Static Shielding Bag
Our static shielding bags are made with industry approved polyester and polyethylene laminates. The polyester layer works with the metal layer to provide a &#;Faraday Cage&#;. The polyethylene layer prevents tribocharging.
Anti Static Packaging
Anti static packaging provides minimal generation or retention of a static charge. Often available as anti-static pink bags, bubble wrap or bubble bags, anti static packaging is a popular method of ESD control. This type of packaging typically consists of an anti-static coating which can help to prevent static build up from occurring.
It&#;s important to remember, however, that anti static packaging won&#;t protect against a static charge penetrating through the packaging. Instead, it&#;s used to prevent static build up occurring due to the packaging itself; thus, they will not charge if rubbed against other surfaces or materials.
Structure of Bondline&#;s Anti-Static Pink Bag
Our pink anti-static bags are made with industry approved polyethylene laminates.
Conductive Packaging
Typically black and opaque in appearance, conductive packaging offers a low resistance i.e. less than 1 meg-ohm (10^6); the closer the 1 meg-ohm, the slower the discharge. This type of packaging is commonly used for material handling, shipping and storage. While conductive bags have a low resistance, they do offer a small amount of shielding (<30%) and thus can be a cost-effective alternative to static shielding bags.
Though lower in cost, conductive bags do not have a dielectric layer which means they cannot isolate a static sensitive device inside. It is possible that the static charge may be transferred through the volume of the material to the static sensitive contents inside the bag instead of around the material to ground.
For full static protection of components and devices, you should look for packaging that transfers static charges at a slow enough rate to prevent ESD damage, but not slow enough that it allows a build up of static &#; a static shielding bag is a good option.
When selecting anti-static bags, it&#;s important to consider the level of ESD protection that is required, the environment it will be used in, alongside any additional features that are needed, such as protection from moisture or mechanical damage. As many electronic components are sensitive to more than just ESD, choosing the right packaging is a critical way of protecting goods and reducing unnecessary losses.
Other points to consider:
What you intend to put inside the ESD bag; static sensitive components (i.e. PCBs) or non-static sensitive items (i.e. studs, bolts).
Whether moisture is an issue for your business.
The size that is required.
Whether the item you intend to pack into the bag is sharp or sensitive to physical damage; a durable bag is needed in this instance.
Whether you would need resealable (loc-top) bags or open-top bags with ESD tape/labels to close the bag.
How the ESD bags will be stored or transported.
Although static dissipative and static shielding are two broad categories of ESD bags, there are a wide range of additional options to consider. At Bondline, we offer an impressive selection of ESD control products, including anti-static bags, to ensure you have access to the packaging solutions you need.
To discover which types of ESD protection bags could be right for you, take a look at the various options here:
Anti-Static Bags
Simple and easy to use, anti-static bags can be a good choice if you&#;re planning on taking non-static items (i.e. nuts, bolts, studs, etc) into an ESD Protected Area (EPA). By preventing static build up, they help to ensure that good ESD practices are upheld and prevent ESD-sensitive items within the EPA from being exposed to a static charge. Of course, anti-static bags don&#;t prevent external charges from penetrating the bag itself, so these aren&#;t suitable for storing ESD-sensitive components if external charges remain a threat.
Anti-Static Bubble Bags
When you&#;re shipping fragile items, it&#;s important to consider how damage could potentially occur. While protecting an item from ESD may be necessary, you&#;ll also need to factor in how shipments may be handled and whether they&#;re at risk of being damaged. Anti-static bubble bags provide extra protection against shocks, vibrations and abrasions and reduce the risk of items being damaged in transit. With a dissipative coating to protect against static build up, bubble bags can be a great way to transport fragile or sensitive components.
Moisture Barrier Bags
Moisture barrier bags are commonly used when vapour barrier protection is required or when maximum shielding protection is needed without transparency being an issue. Most types of electrical components are sensitive to moisture, which is why manufacturers often choose moisture barrier bags when shipping items. These can be particularly effective for packing SMD reels or trays and other moisture-sensitive components. Manufacturers may place components in a moisture barrier bag before dispatching the item in PCB packaging boxes, for example.
While moisture barrier bags provide dissipation, anti static properties and static shielding, they also have a moisture vapour barrier which protects components from both moisture and static build up and improves long term storage.
Although moisture barrier bags provide an excellent form of protection, it&#;s advisable to use desiccant silica gel pouches (or clay desiccant) and humidity indicator cards within the sealed bag too for optimum protection.
Static Shielding Bags
Contact us to discuss your requirements of electro static discharge film. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
If you want to protect items from external static discharge, as well as static build-up, static shielding bags are the obvious choice. Open-top or resealable options ensure static shielding bags can be used for a variety of purposes. You can be confident that a four-layer construction will provide a full &#;Faraday Cage&#; effect to prevent static sensitive components succumbing to ESD.
High Shield Cushion Pouches
When you want heavy-duty protection alongside static shielding, high shield cushion pouches might be just what you&#;re looking for. The three-layer metallised packaging has a cushioned layer which provides extra cushioning to absorb impact and keep components protected against physical damage while they&#;re being transported from one location to another.
Metallised Barrier Bags
Metallised barrier bags work in a similar way to moisture barrier bags but they&#;re typically a more cost-effective option. As well as offering ESD protection, an additional layer of aluminium protects the contents from moisture too. As with moisture barrier bags, it&#;s advisable to add desiccant silica gel pouches (or clay desiccant) and humidity indicator cards when placing items in metallised bags.
Metallised barrier bags have a similar structure to static shielding bags but with opaque, thick layers of metallisation.
When sourcing anti-static bags for your business, there are several key points to keep in mind.
The quality of the bag; while inexpensive bags may seem appealing, it may not be the best investment; particularly when it comes to the bag quality. When looking for a bag, always check the supplier&#;s quality program, material traceability and test standards. The materials and bags should be tested by the manufacturer before shipping.
The supply chain; stability and delivery.
The technical properties and specification.
Compliance to Standards; consider IEC -1-5 International Standard.
The selection of standard sizes.
Ability to customise; if this is something you would require.
Lastly, the price.
While it&#;s important to use ESD control products, like grounding kits and ESD wrist straps, in an EPA, it&#;s also essential to consider how ESD-sensitive components and devices can be transported without being damaged. Fortunately, our range of ESD control bags and ESD packaging makes it easy to find the shipping and storage supplies you need for any component. Don&#;t forget to also add a caution symbol to EPA protected workspaces, to remind people to wear ESD wrist straps.
To learn more, browse our range of anti-static and static shielding bags now on our website get in touch with our friendly team on or us at .
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There are many options when it comes to flexible ESD safe packaging materials. Choosing the right material for the right application can be confusing. For example, do I need a static shielding bag or a pink antistatic bag to ship my product?
Static Shielding Bags
Transparent static shielding bags are constructed of multiple layers of aluminum shielding, polyester and static dissipative polyethylene and typically printed with an ESD warning symbol. Shielding bags are used for the storage and transport of electronic devices that are susceptible to static discharge. Shielding bags provide Faraday Cage protection for electronic devices. A Faraday Cage creates a protective barrier from electrostatic charges protecting items inside the bag from harmful static charges. Similar to a conductive tote box with a lid, a shielding bag creates a protective enclosure that &#;shields&#; items from harmful static charges. There are two types of static shielding bags available, metal-in construction (buried layer) and metal-out construction. The most commonly used shielding bag is metal-in construction; provides excellent ESD protection and is cost effective. Metal-out bags have a lower resistance reading due to the metal layer being closer to the outside of the surface &#; used in critical electronics applications and disk drive manufacturing. Metalized shielding film can be converted into flat bags, ziplock bags, tubing and roll stock sheeting.
Antistatic Poly Bags
Antistatic poly bags provide basic low end ESD protection at the most economical cost. Humidity independent and amine free, antistatic bags are constructed of polyethylene plastic. Unlike shielding bags, antistatic bags do not provide Faraday Cage protection &#; a static charge can enter the bag! Antistatic poly bags may be used for products that do not require Faraday Cage protection, but are used in an ESD safe environment. For example, you may be shipping cables or bolts that are not ESD sensitive parts, however your customer will be opening them in and around ESD sensitive items in a static safe work environment. Antistatic poly bags may also be used when storing or handling ESD sensitive items in an ESD safe work area. If an ESD sensitive device is taken outside of an ESD safe environment, it should be placed in a shielding bag or conductive container. Antistatic bags are available in a wide variety of thicknesses from 2-8 mil &#; 6 mil material meets the electrical requirements of MIL-PRF D Type II. Available in pink, blue and clear, open top or ziplock, tubing and roll stock sheeting.
ESD Moisture Barrier Bags
ESD moisture barrier bags (Dri-Shield Bags) are designed for vacuum sealing applications and provide protection against moisture, corrosion, electrostatic discharge, EMI and physical damage. Featuring a low moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) Dri-Shield bags are constructed of multiple layers of metalized polyester. Thicker than standard shielding bags, moisture barrier bags provide excellent puncture resistance. When selecting a moisture barrier bag, it&#;s important to know your shipping or storage cycle. Select a bag with a MVTR to meet your needs, as well as thickness that will provide puncture resistance when vacuum sealing. The most commonly used Dri Shield material is the 3.6 mil thickness &#; Dri Shield . For stricter applications or for more puncture resistance, films are available up to 7 mil in thickness. For military specification applications, choose CADPAK ESD film, meeting MIL-PRF-D Type I Class I. Printed with the mil-spec on the bag, this film meets the requirements as they appear on the Navy Qualified Products List (QPL) for low MVTR and maximum physical strength.
Conductive Bags
Black conductive bags provide Faraday cage protection and are constructed of conductive carbon loaded polyethylene. Easily grounded, conductive bags are not affected by age or humidity and do not slough. The standard thickness is 4 mils and offers good reusability due to their flexibility and no metal layers to break down when wrinkled. Excellent choice for packaging electronics, chemicals and powder explosives when clean, permanent ESD protection is required. Available in flat and ziplock bags, tubing and roll stock sheeting.
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ESD Static Shielding Bags are commonly used for the packaging of electronic components to prevent damage caused by electrostatic discharge events that electronic devices can be prone to. In this article, we will discuss a few of the finer points that will hopefully point you in the right direction when selecting an ESD static shielding bag.
Static Shielding vs Anti-Static ESD Shielding Bags
Tips for Proper Handling of ESD Shielding Bags
Static Shielding Bag FAQs
How to Choose the Correct ESD Shielding Bag
Packing and Handling Requirements for ANSI/ESD Compliance
Remember, at any time you can visit our ESD Shielding products using the links down below
Desco Static Shielding Bubble Bags
Desco Static Shielding Moisture Barrier Bags
Desco Metal-In Static Shielding Bags
Desco Fold Top Static Shielding Bags
Desco Metal-In Zip Top Static Shielding Bags
Protektive Pak Pink Poly Bags
The terms &#;static shielding&#; and &#;anti-static&#; seem to be used as one in the same in many instances. However this is not the case, there are actually major differences between static shielding and and anti-static materials. Ordering the incorrect one for your application could mean product damage.
If the bag you're considering is a Static Shielding Bag, that means it prevents the build up of static electricity (meaning they have anti-static properties), it also means that the bag will protect from electrostatic discharge or ESD for short. These bags are made of multi-layer materials which create what is called a Faraday Cage that protects components from ESD.
What are the layers in Static Shielding Bags?
The inner layer is a static dissipative polyethylene
The inner layer is surrounded by a layer of aluminum shielding.
The next layer is made of polyester
The outer layer made of a static dissipative coating.
Unlike anti-static bags, static shielding bags protect components from static charges both inside and outside of the bag. In order to provide ESD protection, material is fashioned into a bag or enclosure of some sort and products are sealed inside the bag. No seal, no guarantee of protection. And be sure to pad sharp components and don&#;t use staples. They can compromise the static shielding properties of the bags.
Another class of static shielding bags are moisture barrier shielding bags (MBB). These materials shield from electromagnetic interference (EMI) as well as radio frequency interference (RFI) and static. This is mainly accomplished by using a much thicker metal layer, inhibiting the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) by a factor of over 20 times more compared to ordinary shielding bags.
Anti-Static Bags
Anti-static bags ONLY prevent the build up of static electricity. The material itself will not generate or hold a charge, so cannot be a carrier that introduces static into a static controlled environment. These materials do not protect from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Anti-static bags and materials are ideal for packaging non-static sensitive parts used in electronics manufacturing, like nuts and bolts or manuals. Many people think of pink polyethylene bags when they think of anti-static bags. Pink poly anti-static bags should never be used as the only packaging to protect electronic components from electrostatic discharge.
Your ESD Shielding bags should obviously be large enough to contain the entire product within. The shielding bag should also have enough room in it to be closed (for fold-top style bags) with a label or tape. You can use a zipper-style shielding bag, which we call a "Zip Top Bag" and you can view them here. Sealing the bag (preferably by using the zip top) ensures that the device inside is being shielded from electrostatic. Remember, an unsealed ESD bag is not shielding the contained product.
Be sure to remove any existing charge from the ESD Shielding Bags before use
When you get an ESD sensitive device packaged in a shielded bag, be sure to place the closed shielded bag on the ESD work surface before removing the product. This will remove any charge that may have accumulated on the surface of the static shielding bag during transportation or subsequent handling.
It's best to not re-use or overuse static shielding bags
Even if the shielding bags aappear to be undamaged, the bags are usually cost-effective enough to play it safe and use a new bag. Any holes, tears, wrinkles (seen or unseen) on the shielding bag are signs that it potentially has lost its ability to shield any product within
Use a properly grounded work surface area when handling ESD Products
ESD shielding bags keep the ESD sensitive products away from ESD damage, however they can build a charge on the outside layer, so keep this in mind when being in a situation where you must place an ESD sensitive item on the outside of the static shielding bag and to mitigate risk, use a grounded ESD work surface when handling these sensitive products.
Is There a Difference Between an Anti-Static Bag and a Static Shielding Bag?
Anti-static bags prevent triboelectric charge build up but do not shield components inside the bag from electrostatic discharge. Anti-static bags sustain safe component handling only in ESD protected areas. Static shielding bags provide a full encompassing ESD protection mechanism for components within the bag, meaning you can take them out of ESD protected areas ( like for shipping ) once they're properly enclosed in the bag.
No. Static dissipative ESD bags provide static dissipative materials that slowly drain charge. In ESD areas, these bags simply hold documents or other non-sensitive items without transferring any charges from a non-ESD safe area.
Clear static dissipative bags are not safe for components, as a component may absorb an ESD shock without the protection of a shielding bag. This is why, only non-ESD sensitive products are used with plain static dissipative bags.
Standard pink anti-static bags are made of polyethylene with an outer layer of ESD material. Sometimes, these bags can also be black when trace amounts of carbon are deposited during the manufacturing process. Pink are only safe for use in an ESD protected area. Transferring a component from an ESD protected area to a non ESD protected area inside of a pink anti-static bag is not safe.
Metalized shielded bags have either a metal-in or metal-out design. The metal-in design is common for the packaging of ESD sensitive components. Metal-out shielding bags also protect against static induced damage. The benefits of metal-in construction is usually a factor of cost and durability. A metal layer closer to the outside surface results in a lower resistant reading than the metal-in ESD bags. Integral antistatic and low tribocharging bags which will not electrostatically charge contents during movement. Bags have a protective coated aluminum metal outer layer of laminated film; this promotes a more rapid discharge of static fields creating the event which the metal layer then attenuates. If RF field sensitivity is an issue, metal-out bags may be unsuitable. The rapid discharge to the highly conductive outer layer can create a higher radiated field which in return can cause issues for objects inside or near the bag. Available with and without dissipative zipper.
As your figuring out which ESD Static Shielding product to go with for your application, you need to be clear about the use of your ESD bag as well as the environment it&#;s being used in. Ask yourself the following questions:
What do you intend to put inside the ESD bag? ESD sensitive items? Non-ESD sensitive items?
Is moisture an issue you need to consider?
Do you need your ESD bags to be self-sealable? Or will you be using ESD tape/labels to close your bags?
Are the items inside your ESD bag sensitive to physical damage?
Are the items you&#;re storing in your ESD bag particularly sharp which could potentially damage the material?
Will the ESD bags (and obviously the items inside) be stored on a grounded shelf inside an EPA or are they being transported outside of an EPA, as well?
Calculating the correct size for your ESD bag
Once you have selected the correct type of material, it&#;s time to choose the right size for your ESD bag. There are different ways to determine this based on the type of material you use:
1.) Shielding and Black Conductive Bags:
A. Bag Width = Item&#;s Thickness + Item&#;s Width + 25mm
B. Bag Length = Item&#;s Thickness + Item&#;s Length + 50mm
Moisture Barrier Bags (MBB):
A. Bag Width = Item&#;s Thickness + Item&#;s Width + 25mm
B. Bag Length = Item&#;s Thickness + Item&#;s Length + 76mm
Cushioned Bags:
A. Bag Width = Item&#;s Thickness + Item&#;s Width + 76mm
B. Bag Length = Item&#;s Thickness + Item&#;s Length + 76mm
Bonus: Measuring a bag
It might seem obvious to some of you but given that we do get these types of queries on a regular basis, we thought this would be a good opportunity to include. Imagine you already have ESD bags that you use in your company. Someone has just taken the last one off the shelf and you need to order some more. How do you know what size ESD bag you have in front of you so you can place a new purchase order? No worries &#; we have the answer:
A. The width is measured from inside seam to inside seam. This is also your opening.
B. The length is measured from the top of the opening to the bottom of the bag.
The main ESD function of these packaging and materials handling products is to limit the possible impact of ESD from triboelectric charge generation, direct discharge, and in some cases electrostatic fields.
A second requirement is that the material can be grounded so that the resistance range must be conductive or dissipative. A third property required outside the EPA is to provide protection from direct electrostatic discharges that is discharge shielding.
A third property required outside the EPA is to provide protection from direct electrostatic discharges that is discharge shielding. ESDA.org
ANSI/ESD STM11.31 provides a method of evaluation for the energy transferred from the package to the interior.
The ability of some packages to provide discharge shielding may be evaluated using ANSI/ESD STM11.31 which measures the energy transferred to the package interior. A material&#;s low charging properties are not necessarily predicted by its resistance or resistivity.
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