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

29 Apr.,2024

 

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.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit electro static discharge film.

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.

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)

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Aluminum Foil Anti Static. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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.

ESD film foil | Holland Shielding Systems BV

Samples were immersed in the specified chemicals for 24 hours at room temperature and then examined visually.

9800 ESD film is a transparent, static dissipative, self-adhesive polyester film. It includes a special coating on one side and a release film on the other side. The film can be applied to flat, insulating surfaces.

Advantages
  • High tear strength, clear, adhesive-backed polyester film
  • Permanently electrostatic-dissipative coating
  • Complies with EN 61340-5-1
  • Humidity independent
  • Very low tribocharge generation and excellent electrostatic decay performance
  • High clarity, good chemical and abrasion resistance
  • Ideal for PCB manufacturing and testing
  • Suitable for clean manufacturing applications (retrofitting cleanroom windows, etc.)
  • Can be used as transparency for copies
  • Thickness: 0.1 mm
  • Maximum sheet/roll width: 1220 mm
Property Test method Unit (100 microns) Tensile strength MD ASTM D-882A PSI 25,000 TD ASTM D-882A PSI 35,000 Yield strength MD ASTM D-882A PSI 14,000 TD 14,000 Elongation at break MD ASTM D-882A % 200 TD 120 Pencil hardness Hardness ASTM D-3363 Hardness scale 3H Optical Transmittance – Total visible ASTM D-1003 % 85 Transmittance – Total UV 10 Haze 7.3

MD = Machine Direction | TD - Transversal Direction

Micro Suction Silicone adhesive

For easy manual application of the foil we have developed a Micro Suction Silicone adhesive. This adhesive has a number of advantages that make the film easy to position. Our advise is to use standard adhesive only for laminating machines or very very experienced people, else use this Micro Suction Silicone Adhesive

Benefits

  • Reusable / Repositionable
  • Never attach permanently
  • Easy to apply by hand, less bubbly

Please note : ESD foil with Micro Suction Silicone adhesive has a thickness of 230 micron / 0.23 mm.

Please note: in exceptional cases, the top layer can be affected by acids, for example from the human skin. To protect the conductive layer, you can apply a transparent film or use the adhesive side on top.

Small optical defects are allowed in this product. If you require a product that is absolutely free from optical defects, please contact us for the "superior selected quality". Due to the extreme caution needed to produce these products, they can be several times more expensive.

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