Is paper a real threat to your ESD Control Program?

Paper is commonly found in any manufacturing lines be it an electronic manufacturing or non electronic manufacturing line.

Paper is commonly used to record down the results of an activity, status of production output or status of the production lots.

So is paper a real threat to your ESD Control Program? The answer is both YES and NO.
It is all depends on where you are on the earth planet.

If you are making your ESD Sensitive parts in a climate which is cold and dry, then the answer is YES.
If you are making your ESD sensitive parts in a climate with a high humidity, then the answer is NO.

Paper is hygroscopic in nature. It absorbs moisture from the environment and therefore makes it less tribocharging and unharmful when used in an environment with high humidity.

Under certain humidity, paper absorbs moisture, well enough to make its resistance to fall somewhere in the range of dissipative and as such allows the flow of static charges to the ground. In an environment with high humidity, paper is not a threat to the ESD Sensitive devices.

In a dry climate with a low humidity, there is not much moisture from the air for the paper to absorb and as such it becomes insulative and easily to tribocharge.
When the paper is placed under the ESD sensitive (ESDS) parts, it would block or hinder the flow of static charge from the ESDS parts to the ground.
This is a threatening situation especially if you are dealing with a highly ESD sensitive devices such as GMR (Giant Magnetoresistive) or MR (Magnetoresistive) head.


Is there a substitute for the paper which is harmful to your ESD Control Program?
The Answer is an astounding YES.


Techni-Tool ESD Paper, 8.5" X 11", Ream Of 500 Sheets


Paper 17x11" ESD White w/ Pink Stripe, 500 Sheets Per Ream


Printer Roll Paper ESD 3x2.75" 150 Ft, 7/16"Core White w/ESD Logo 10 Rolls

Related Posts :