The cost justification for an ESD-control program still is an issue for many companies. By contrast, the control of ESD has taken on critical proportions in the semiconductor and disk-drive industries. As yet, no one has found a way to reduce device geometries without making them more susceptible to ESD.
And the voltages at which these devices fail keep getting lower. So low, in fact, that users of these products are at a crossroads. Now, the rationale for adopting ESD-control measures is even greater than not. This, in part, accounts for the increased demand for ESD-control products for every possible application.
What has been the response of the ESD-control industry to the increased demand? Evolving standards, requiring uniform testing and characterization of equipment and materials, are making it easier for the consumer to evaluate and compare products. Also, it is easier for products to compete with each other on a level playing field.
Great importance now is being placed on the performance of ESD-control products—and with good reason. The previously acceptable 200-volt limit on electrostatic voltages no longer suffices. A 20-V limit and lower is becoming a reality. Better standards are the first step, but now improved instruments allow accurate and repeatable measurements to provide excellent ESD-control product characterization. The net effect of improved standards and measurements has been quantifiable results, better ESD-control products, and a more confident consumer.
Now on Our Web Site
As an added bonus, all products featured in this ESD Product Showcase can be accessed on our web site at www.evaluationengineering.com. Along with detailed product descriptions, a hypertext link to each company is provided. This link gives you the opportunity to gather information on all products offered by the company.
Company
ACL
Aegis Technologies
AEMC Instruments
Bevco Ergonomic Seating
BFGoodrich
BioFit Engineered Products
BONKOTE America
Brady USA
Brick Container
California Micro Devices
Carmel Olefins
Codestar
Crystal-X Plastics
Custom Products & Services
Desco Charleswater
DSM Engineering Plastic Products
ElectroStatics
Electro-Tech Systems
ESD Systems
Forbo Industries
Haefely Trench
Hyperion Catalysis International
IMTEC
Ion Systems
IPC
Iron Age
ITW Electronic Component Packaging Systems
Key Industries
KeyTek
Leica Microsystems
Lista International
Marley Flexco
Menasha, Solid Fibre Division
Monroe Electronics
NEPTCO
Novx
Pandel
Plastofilm
Polyonics
Prostat
R & R Lotion
Richmond Technology
RTP
Sauereisen
SC Technologies
Semtronics
Simco
Specialty Coatings
SpectraScan International
Stanley Storage Systems
STATICO
Static Solutions
Static Technologies
Stonhard
Tech Spray
Tennessee Mat
TREK
UTP
Wescorp
ESD Products
Floor Finish
No. 4200 STATICIDE® Zero V.O.C. (volatile organic compounds) Floor Finish does not emit harmful or dangerous vapors into the air during the application or maintenance process. It is suitable for any clean room. This product is biodegradable and abrasion resistant and does not contain dye or fragrance. ACL, (800) 782-8420.
PCB Laminate
ESD FR4 (G10) is a strong laminated sheet that meets the mechanical requirements of MIL-SPEC-I-24678/2. It is made from a fine-weave glass material to accommodate drilling. There is less deflection and drill wear when compared to a standard G10 board. This laminated sheet has a static-dissipative surface integral to the substrate, eliminating the need to apply a post-cure ESD finish. Aegis Technologies, (207) 647-5851.
Ground Resistance Testers
The 3640 Digital Ground Resistance Tester measures 10 mW to 1,999 W , and it autoranges to find the optimum measurement range. A large LCD indicates low battery, overrange, and shorts. To operate the battery-powered tester, color-coded leads are connected. The measure button and heavy-duty ABS case are sealed to protect against dirt and water. The fused unit carries the CE Marking and meets IEC vibration and drop tests. The Model 4610 also performs four-point soil resistivity tests. AEMC Instruments, (800) 343-1391.
Ergonomic Seating
Model 4000ECR and 5000ECR Series ESD/Clean Room Seating comes with a brass drag chain, ESD glides, and conductive vinyl upholstery with a surface resistivity of 106 W /sq. The seating includes pneumatic height adjustment ranging from 17″ to 33″. A 360° swivel, an adjustable backrest, and stationary glides with optional casters also are featured. They meet the particulate requirements of Federal Standard 209E for class 100 or class 10 clean rooms, respectively. Bevco Ergonomic Seating, (800) 864-2991.
Construction Plastic
Stat-RiteTM E-1140 is a static-dissipative plastic that meets the NFPA 701 flame retardant guidelines. The product is insensitive to humidity, ultra-clean, and low off-gassing and has low ionic contamination. It contains no particulates, and its clarity supports its use in clean-room doors and soft walls. Available in pellet form, other applications include, mats, worksurfaces, and conveyor belt surfaces. Stat-Rite E-1140 has 82A shore hardness and high tear strength and can be extruded into sheets, tubing, or other profiles. Volume resistivity is 2 × 106 W · cm. BFGoodrich, (800) 331-1144.
Static-Dissipative Seating
The color white has been added to the line of blue and black Microcon vinyl covering used for seating. It has a surface resistivity between 5.3 × 106 and 1.0 × 108 W /sq at 500 V, and its decay time from 5,000 V is 0.44 s. A black carbon-impregnated vinyl center helps drain static charges through the chair’s base. The third layer of the upholstery is a knit backing with an average resistance to ground of 1.2 × 107W . The seating is clean room-compatible. BioFit Engineered Products, (419) 823-1089.
Flux Dispensing Pen
Bon Pen Series Flux Dispensing Pens are made of conductive/dissipative material that will not generate static. They dispense liquid fluxes, including no-clean and low-VOC types, accurately and without dripping. The pen comes in a variety of sizes and replaceable tip styles. The pens have flexible shafts, are suitable for spot work on IC chips and may be cleaned with alcohol or water. BONKOTE America, (413) 289-1751.
Rigid Packaging Plastic
Conductive Fluted Plastic, an extruded high-impact polypropylene, provides an alternative to injection-molded ESD packaging. This 3-mm thick black material is permanently conductive, lightweight, moisture proof, and chemical resistant. It can be used in place of corrugated or paper materials. Various stock products and custom sizes are available. The material has a surface resistivity of 103 to 105W /sq and an average static decay time of <0.2 s. Brick Container, (714) 994-4140.
ESD Protection Chip
The PACTM KBM is an integrated keyboard and mouse filter chip for a computer. It provides ESD protection to ±4 kV in a 16-pin QSOP SMT package. Added benefits are pull-up to Vcc, clamping, and EMI filtering. By routing the data and clock lines for both keyboard and mouse through this chip, as many as 20 discreet components are replaced. California Micro Devices, (800) 325-4966.
Rigid Dissipative Plastic
CARMELSTATTM Compounds achieve static-dissipative properties with resistivities in the range of 106 to 109 W /sq using carbon black concentrations of 1% to 2%. These injection-mold compounds are available in regular and clean-room grades for containers, pallets, wafer carriers, shelves, and trays. Carmel Olefins, 011 972-4-8466016.
Cleanroom Scanner
The Metanetics® IR-2000 2D Bar-Code Scanner has been customized into the IR-2000 ESD 2D for use in static-sensitive electronics assembly and fabrication environments. The conductive plastic housing uses little carbon for low contamination and has a surface resistivity of ³ 105 to <107W /sq. The discharge time from 1,000 V to <20 V is £ 1.5 s. It is certified for Class 100 clean rooms and rugged enough for use on factory floors. The casing and internal grounding reduce component failure caused by static electricity. Codestar, (800) 283-7354.Clear Thermoform Plastic
Crystat Clear® is a clear, inherently antistatic material available in roll stock and thin gauge sheet for use in thermoforming applications. The roll stock thickness is 0.010″ to 0.060″, and the sheet comes in thicknesses of 0.060″, 0.125″, and 0.187″. Crystat Clear has physical strength properties measured according to ASTM D638, D648. and D790 and surface resistivity of 1010 to 1011 W /sq per ASTM D257. Crystal-X Plastics, (610) 586-3200.
Workstation Ground Kit
Workstation Ground Kits can be used with any industrial workbench that has a static-dissipative worksurface. You have a choice of one or two, single or double banana ground jacks and one or two wriststraps. The kit includes an eight-position common-point grounding block, a ground bolt, and jumper wires and mounting hardware. Installation instructions show you how to mount the kit to the underside of the worksurface. Custom kits also are available. Custom Products & Services, (651) 452-0113.
ESD-Control Garments
ESD-Control Garments are made of conductive nylon fibers woven into polyester material to provide continuous charge dissipation. Three colors now are available: light blue, white, and teal. The jacket length covers to the hip and the lab coat extends to just above the knees. The two cuff options, are snap adjustable which requires a wrist strap to ground the user, and conductive elastic which grounds the user when the garment is grounded with a coil cord. The garments are available in S, M, L, XL, and 2XL. Desco Charleswater, (909) 598-2753.
Machineable Plastic
Semitron® ESd 520HR is a plastic available in stock shapes for machining. It has a heat-deflection temperature of 520°F and a surface resistivity of 1010 to 1012 W /sq. This static-dissipative material can be used for making nests, sockets, and contactors for testing semiconductor devices and other device-handling components. These fixtures, when used to capture semiconductor devices during final test, are static safe. The material’s mechanical strength, wear resistance, and thermal stability hold tight tolerances when machined. DSM Engineering Plastic Products, (800) 366-0310.
Tabletop Ionizer
The Model IT-7100 Table Top Ionizing Transport System uses DC technology to produce three times the amount of both positive and negative ions as AC systems. The variable-speed air system permits a gentle flow of balanced ions that are effective up to six feet. The offset voltage is <5 V, and the decay rate from 1,000 V to 100 V is 0.8 s when measured per EOS/ESD Standard S3.1-1991. A fail-safe balance indicator verifies ionization output. ElectroStatics, (215) 513-0850.Static-Decay Meter
Model 406D is a static-decay meter used to determine the static- dissipation performance of materials. It consists of a control unit and a Faraday test cage. The two-part design allows the cage to be placed in a humidity chamber for testing material under environmental conditions. The decay meter offers selectable cutoff levels of 50%, 10%, and 1% with 0.01-s decay-time resolution. In the manual mode, the operator controls all functions; the automatic mode accommodates consistent multiple tests. Electro-Tech Systems, (215) 887-2196.
Dual Workstation Monitor
The Model 41137 Dual Workstation Monitor eliminates the need for record-keeping by monitoring the ground integrity of two operators with single-wire wriststraps. It also confirms that the worksurface resistance to ground is <500 MW . An audible alarm and red and green LEDs indicate grounding status. A mounting bracket, power supply, and two remote jacks are included. No user adjustment or calibration is required. ESD Systems, (508) 485-7390.Vinyl Tiles
Colorex 24″ × 24″ Floor Tiles are offered in 20 colors. Sliced from a solid
block of molded homogeneous vinyl, these tiles can be used in heavy-
load and high-traffic areas. They do not lose their color, and almost any stain can be sanded from the surface to restore the original finish. The material is made from chips, coated with a conductive liquid to prevent carbon contamination, and then compressed to form the tile. A graph of electrical resistance is provided with each production run and then certified to EOS/ESD S7.1 after installation. Forbo Industries, (800) 342-0604.
30-kV Discharge Instrument
The PESD 3000 High-Voltage Discharge Tester provides ESD immunity testing to EN 61000-4-2. It has a microprocessor-controlled base unit with a built-in power supply. This lightweight, ergonomic pistol comes with an interchangeable impedance unit that allows the system to test to ISO TR 10605. It supplies a voltage discharge of 30 kV in air and 25 kV by direct contact with both single and repetitive modes. Haefely Trench, (703) 494-1900.
Graphite Nanofibers
Graphite FibrilTM Nanofibers can improve the static-dissipative performance of plastic clean-room components like wafer trays, tweezers, and bar-code scanners. The nanofiber-loaded resins produce nonsloughing, glossy surfaces not found with conventional carbon-fiber components. Outgassing levels are not detectable. ESD hotspots are eliminated and a consistent resistivity range of 104 to 106 W /sq is achieved. With the low loading required to obtain the desired resistivity, the materials have molding characteristics and behavior similar to unfilled resins. Hyperion Catalysis International, (617) 354-9678.
Static-Free Labels
The StaticSafe™ Series of static-free labels is available in polyester and polyimide. The labels reduce the electrostatic voltage buildup to less than 100 V, and they can be applied manually or automatically. IMTEC, (802) 463-9502.
Process Ionizer
The Model 4630 QuadBar™ Ionizer can control static charge in 15°C to 50°C ambient air inside a process chamber. The compact unit fits into the tight confines of process equipment, and it can be powered from a machine tool’s 24 VAC source. Up to four units may be daisy-chained. The unit relies on conservation of charge to maintain a ±50-V balance. No calibration is required. Replaceable silicon emitters produce few particles. Ion Systems, (800) 367-2452.
ESD Training CD
The CD-19 Training Program is an interactive CD-ROM that allows you to customize the contents for specific applications. Administrative capabilities feature reporting, searching, and sorting of a large user base. There are chapters on preventing static charges, neutralizing charges, and protecting devices from electrostatic fields. Each chapter provides a test module and a final certification test. The resources section includes the ESD Association’s 175- page Advisory for Protection and Sensitivity Training of Electrostatic Discharge Susceptible Items. The program runs on Windows and is Y2K compatible. A network version is available. IPC, (505) 758-7937.
Casual Footwear
Comfort Casual Style 709 is men’s brown Nubuck leather casual steel-toe shoe with ESD-control properties. It features leather uppers, high-density comfort linings, and contour-comfort removable insoles. The Nitrile rubber soles are lightweight, shock-absorbing, and slip-resistant. Similar styles are available for men and women in brown or white leather, with or without steel toes. Iron Age, (800) 223-8912.
SMD Chip Carrier System
Static-dissipative carrier tapes, cover films, and plastic reels house MSOP, TSSOP, BGA, and TSOP ICs. Carrier tapes combine pocket-bottom pedestals and antireflective sidewalls with a class 6 trilayer styrene. Cover films are made of a transparent polyester heat-sealable material that bonds to the carrier tape. High-impact polystyrene reels are offered in 7″ and 13″ dia with widths of 12 mm to 72 mm. ITW Electronic Component Packaging Systems, (817) 277-7977.
Permanent Spray Coating
Spray Guard is a permanent, clear coating supplied in a 12-oz aerosol can. The sprayed-on film dries to the touch in minutes and has both antistatic and static-dissipative properties. It resists tribocharging and meets ESD S11.11 for permanent electrostatic protection with a surface resistance of <1 × 108 W . Spray Guard is not humidity dependent and meets Federal Standard 209E for zero particulation in clean rooms. It may be used on metals, laminates, paper products, and most plastics including computer keyboards. Key Industries, (800) 543-9462.
IC ESD and Latch-Up Tester
Paragon is a turnkey test system that lets IC manufacturers test packages with up to 1,024 pins for ESD and latch-up susceptibility. Simple to complex devices, such as system-on-chip, can be tested. Paragon is custom configurable in the field as requirements change. It meets various EIA, ESD Association, and MIL-STD-883D requirements for Human Body Model, Machine Model, and latch-up testing. KeyTek, (800) 753-9835.
Antistatic Microscope
The GZ6T Stereomicroscope has a surface resistivity from 102 to 106 W /sq and a static decay time from 1,000 V to 0 V in 0.05 s. Six jacks at its base ground operators and other equipment. The complete outfit is fit for use in clean rooms. Leica Microsystems, (800) 248-0123.
Ergonomic Workbench
The Technical Workbench offers a static-dissipative worksurface and a variety of height, length, storage and shelving options. A welded-leg design improves its aesthetics and durability. A removable leg panel accommodates two-tone colors, hides hardware, and provides access to cables. Built-in leveling glides are covered by removable end caps, and optional casters add mobility. Lista International, (800) 722-3020.
Floor Tile
The conductive vinyl version of LOGIC™ Tile meets the requirements of NFPA 99 and ASTM F150 with an electrical resistance of 2.5 × 104 to 1.0 × 106 W . The static-dissipative tile has an average point-to-ground electrical resistance of 1.0 × 106 to 1.0 × 108W . Both versions come in 11 colors and in sizes of 12″ × 12″, 24″ × 24″, and 36″ × 36″, all 1/8″ thickness. The tile’s low-outgassing and optional pre-grooved heat-weld seam make it suitable for clean rooms. Marley Flexco, (800) 633-3151.
High-Strength Totes
Solid Fibre Totes are constructed by laminating multiple layers of linerboard to form a high-strength, lightweight, water- and grease-resistant material. Then, Centurian® nonflammable, nonexplosive conductive or dissipative coating is added. The stackable and usable finished tote or bin can be glued, stapled, or riveted. Seven standard linerboard sizes or a custom design are available. Menasha, Solid Fibre Division, (888) 997-6543.
Static Locator
The Model 289 Static Locator displays positive or negative readings from under 100 V to 10 kV on its high-speed, 16-segment, bar-graph display. This pocket-sized, battery-powered instrument is suitable for surveys of assembly, process, workstation, shipping, inventory, or testing areas. To use the Model 289, touch a grounded metal object to discharge your body, point the sensor plate toward a grounded surface, and press the zero button. Then aim the instrument toward the target surface, at a distance of 1″. Monroe Electronics, (800) 821-6001.
Soldering-Iron Monitor
The Model 20 Soldering Iron Voltage Detection System runs on two AAA batteries and comes in a small chassis with an attached sensor plate. It is an AC/ground monitoring system. The sensor is placed under a wet sponge and an indication is given every time the sponge is used. A green LED means the tip is at 0 V; a red LED indicates the tip is greater than 1 V. If neither LED is lit, the tip is not grounded. Novx, (408) 998-5555.
Shelf Liner
Static-dissipative, self-adhesive shelf liners protect components from physical shock and electrostatic voltages. The liner consists of a 20-mil layer of vinyl and 25 mils of foam-cushion backing with adhesive. It is offered in 150’ rolls at 18″ and 24″ widths for use on shelves or in storage bins. The standard color is blue, but custom colors and sizes are available. Resistance to ground is 6.0 × 108 to 9.0 × 1010 W at 100 V. Pandel, (770) 382-1034.
Static-Dissipative Labels
XF 561 and XF 562 are 1- and 2-mil thick thermal-transfer, printable, static-dissipative, polyimide Kapton® label materials that tolerate process temperatures to 1,000°F. They reduce electrostatically generated voltages to less than 25 V to help eliminate ESD when labeling electronic components, PCBs, storage tubes, or other packaging. These labels, produced with the proper thermal transfer ribbon, withstand harsh solvents, cleaners, fluxes, and saponifiers even without overlamination. Polyonics, (603) 352-1415.
Resistance Meter
The PRS-801 is a hand-held, wide-range ohmmeter with test voltages of <10 V, 10 V, or 100 V. It automatically controls the test voltage, resistance range, and electrification period for accurate, repeatable audit measurements. The resistance range is from 1014 W . Multifunction displays include 3.5 digits in ohms or an exponential format, a 19-segment analog bar graph with multipliers, and 14 color-programmable LEDs. The ohmmeter stores up to 64 readings and comes with an RS-232 output. Prostat, (630) 238-8883.Hand Lotion
I.C. Lotion™ is a static-dissipative, noncontaminating hand lotion formulated for Class 1 to 100,000 clean-room environments. It helps prevent skin chapping and irritation caused by the regular use of gloves, finger cots, and frequent hand washings. It also provides a better wrist-strap connection to the skin. The greaseless lotion is absorbed immediately without affecting grip or dexterity and comes in static-dissipative bottles. R & R Lotion, (602) 443-9255.
Band/Coil Set
Trustat® 360° is a woven-fabric adjustable band and a lightweight, 6’ coil cord with a built-in 1-MW resistor. A 360° swivel-snap connection provides freedom of movement, and the curved metal backplate ensures uniform, comfortable skin contact. A cam-lock closure secures the fabric to the proper size. The set includes a standard banana plug and an alligator clip. Trustat 360° meets the requirements of EOS/ESD S1 and European Norms. Richmond Technology, (800) 829-2942.
Flame-Retardant Material
RTP 300 Polycarbonate Compound has a volume resistivity of 104 W •cm and a surface resistivity of 109 W /sq. It meets UL 94 V-0 for flame retardancy. The compound can be used in manufacturing conductive PCB guide rails, which saves the assembly time associated with installing copper or iron contacts on ordinary flame-retardant PCB rails. RTP, (800) 433-4787.
Epoxy Topcoat
ConductCoat No. 2383, a seamless epoxy floor coating, is the top layer of the company’s three-part flooring system. The 20-mil thick coating resists chemicals and provides flooring for moderate traffic areas. It has high compressive, flexural, and tensile strength and comes in 106 W to 109 W and 2.5 × 104 W to 109 W resistance ranges. The coating is offered in beige, tan, light gray, and dark gray. Sauereisen, (412) 963-0303.
Surfaced Plastic
C-350™-surfaced, static-dissipative, transparent plastic sheets can be heat-formed with clear bends or solvent-welded without removing the surfacing. C-350 surfacing is harder than the plastic substrate, providing some mar resistance. With a thickness of 1 micron, the coating usually does not affect cutting or machining operations. SC Technologies, (800) 525-8183.
Overhead Ionizer
The ZVI8000™ Overhead Zero Volt Ionizer uses sense feedback and three independently controlled fans to maintain balance. It uses steady-state DC technology to provide rapid decay times and large-area coverage with low air velocity. Programmable maintenance and alarm levels and a rapid-access maintenance cleaning system are featured. Sealed thru-tunnel air flow provides the ZVI8000 with a Class 100 or better rating. Semtronics, (770) 487-6700.
Verification Kit
The Periodic Verification Kit consists of a meter, a 1,200-V dual-polarity charger, a 1″ × 2-1/2″ test plate, a 6″ × 6″ test plate, a cable, and a tripod. The meter can be used alone to measure electrostatic fields or with a plate to form a charged plate monitor (CPM) with 2,000 V full scale. The large test plate provides full-size CPM capability. The CPM can be used to check an ionizer’s balance or to charge the plate to ±1,200 V to test the neutralization time of an ionizer. Simco, (800) 538-0750.
Clear Permanent Spray
Spec-Stat® is a permanent, clear aerosol coating that meets ESD S11.11 for permanent electrostatic protection with a surface resistance of 108 W at 10 V down to 0 humidity. It conforms to Federal Standard 209E for zero particulation in clean rooms. It also passes California air quality standards and is exempt from volatile organic compound reporting as an ESD aerosol. Spec-Stat may be sprayed on keyboards, computers, meters, oscilloscopes, and workstations. Specialty Coatings, (800) 782-2400.
Combination Tester
The STS-200F-ST for testing shoes and heel straps features dual footplates for touch-free testing of both feet simultaneously and a touch handle for testing one foot at a time. The factory low setting is 0.5 MW with an adjustment range of 0.5 MW to 2.0 MW . The high is set for 50 MW with adjustability from 10 MW to 1000 MW . The STS-200FS-ST tests single-conductor wrist straps, the STS-200FD-ST for dual-conductor wrist straps, and the STS-200FSD-ST for single- and dual-conductor wrist straps. SpectraScan International, (719) 447-0170.
Computer Workstation
StaticGard® Workstations are constructed with static-dissipative coatings and worksurfaces. They use a single-point ground and have laminated tops with coatings on the bench legs, cabinets, and shelves. The point-to-point resistance range is 106 to 1010 W , and the point-to-ground resistance is 106 W or greater. ErgoNetic® frames hold a PC and a printer. The monitor is mounted above the worksurface, and accessories tailor the workstation to specific needs. Stanley Storage Systems, (800) 523-9462.
Wrist/Footwear Tester
The S2102 tests footwear and wrist straps. The resistance range for each function (left foot, right foot, and wrist strap) is individually presettable from 0 to 50 MW . Three LEDs for each function indicate pass, high, or low. A small housing contains the electronics and indicators, and a test push plate connects the user to the unit. The electronics is mounted on a rugged stand and connected, through a post, to two metal foot plates on a heavy baseplate. STATICO, (650) 592-4733.
Floor Monitor
The Model FM-1600 monitors a floor’s surface resistance and provides audible and visual alarms when the value exceeds 2 × 1010 W . The results indicate whether the floor is still static dissipative or if it needs another coat. To use the FM-1600, clean, strip, and dry the floor in the area to be monitored. Attach the two supplied electrodes to the floor, keeping them separated. Turn the unit on and note when that the alarm sounds. Static Solutions, (508) 480-0700.
Heel Grounder
The MG-7010 Heel Grounder has a D-ring for a secure and convenient fit. A red Velcro band secures the grounder to the shoe. The unit comes with a flexible, two-part heel cup and a tab that ensures contact even on individuals with dry skin. You can use a 1-MW or 2-MW resistor or opt to not use a resistor at all. Static Technologies, (617) 357-6444.
Epoxy Flooring
Stonlux AT is a seamless, three-part epoxy flooring system that can be applied in 80- or 120-mil thicknesses and comes in 106 W to 109 W , and 2.5 × 104 W to 106 W resistance ranges. Available in standard and custom colors, the high-strength surface is smooth, easy to clean, and resists abrasions and chemicals. Stonhard, (800) 257-7953.
SMT Wick
SMT Wick, wound on a static-dissipative bobbin, reduces the likelihood of ESD. It is a small desoldering braid that accommodates working on small, expensive components and boards with a minimal amount of heat. This work includes SMT pads, fine-pitch circuitry, and microcircuits. The braid is offered in 25’, 50’, and 100’ vacuum-packed bobbins. Tech Spray, (800) 858-4043.
Conductive Mat
Control Stat No. 777 is floor-mat material made of woven continuous-filament nylon bonded to a 9/16″ sponge base. The mat combats worker fatigue and resists damage from high heels. Surface resistivity is 104 W /sq, and resistance to ground is 105 to 107W . Standard sizes are 2’ × 3’ and 3’ × 5’ in blue and gray. Runners are offered in standard widths of 3’ or 4’ up to 75’ long. Custom widths and lengths are available to 12’ and 100’, respectively. Tennessee Mat, (800) 264-3030.
Charged-Plate Monitor
The Model 156A Charged-Plate Monitor (CPM) uses a measurement technique that makes the capacitance independent of the physical size and shape of the ion plate. This lets the user specify the capacitance or, conversely, the size and shape of the plate to match a component or process. It also can operate in conformance to EOS/ESD S3.1-1991. The 156A offers float-mode and decay-mode measurements that can be used to verify the balance offset and neutralization parameters of ionizers. TREK, (800) 367-8735.
Test Station
The WSFC120A-TS2 Test Station consists of the Model WSFC120A wrist-strap and footwear tester mounted on a stand. The unit has separate operating modes for wrist straps and footwear, and the two resistance ranges are set independently. To use the test station, you stand on the shoe plate with both feet and push the test button. LEDs indicate pass or fail on the left/right foot, then you flip a switch to check the other foot. A fail also is accompanied by an audible alarm. Wescorp, (800) 537-7828.
Static-Dissipative Labels
Four versions of static-dissipative labels generate <25-V electrostatic voltage. B129 is a white paper for packaging and awareness labeling with a surface resistivity of 2 × 109 W /sq. B445 white vinyl has a surface resistivity of 8 × 107 W /sq and is used for component tube-and-reel labeling. B473 white polyester has a surface resistivity of 5 × 108 W /sq with applications in PCB and component labeling. The B477 white polyimide also is used for PCB and component labeling and has a surface resistivity of 1 × 108 W /sq. Brady USA, (414) 358-6600.
Rigid Packaging
A family of rigid, static-dissipative films are thermoformed into clamshells, shipping trays, and u-pads to package sensitive electronic components. The transparent films are bar-code scannable. Trays made from the films are suitable for automated assembly and reusable 18 to 25 times and can be inspected through clear side walls. A ring-and-button feature ensures a stable stack on pallets. Plastofilm, (630) 668-2838.
Clear Cover Tape
A clear, antistatic cover tape called ClearVue®, features an adhesive strip along the edges. Once installed, it provides a clear polyester film over the chip- carrier tape pocket area. Component inspection is further facilitated by 89% luminous transmittance and a 1% haze value. The tape is 0.00195″ thick and from 9.2 mm to 49.5 mm wide. The seal meets EIA 481 requirements and accommodates a range of sealing temperatures. NEPTCO, (401) 722-5500.
Epoxy Floor
ESD ColorQuartz 9000 combines epoxy polymers and aggregates to produce a durable and reliable floor surface for electrostatic control. Body-voltage generation is <100 V with normal walking and conductive footwear. In this three-part system an insulating primer seals off unpredictable electrical paths and is followed by a conductive layer to establish a path to ground. ColorQuartz 9000, available in a variety of color combinations, then is applied and sealed with a clear finish to a desired slip-resistance. UTP, (800) 225-6052.Copyright 1999 Nelson Publishing Inc.
May 1999