ESD Control Packaging

The protective functions of electrostatic discharge (ESD) control packaging include: protection against electrostatic fields, protection against direct ESDs, and prevention of buildup of electrostatic charges due to tribocharging. This chapter discusses the terminologies used in ESD control packaging, including intimate packaging, proximity packaging, and secondary packaging. ESD packaging must have defined properties, most of which can be tested by the user using standardized test methods. The chapter considers some of the common ESD control properties, including triboelectric charging, surface resistance, volume resistance, and electrostatic field shielding. The charge generation and retention aspect of ESD control packaging is important in preventing ESD risk within an ESD protected area and to any ESD‐sensitive device within the package. The chapter also provides a discussion on the materials, types and forms of ESD protective packaging, as well as information on the ESD control and protection packaging standards.