ESD Tray Materials: Conductive Plastic vs. Dissipative Foam

ESD Tray Materials When it comes to ESD tray materials, most people are going to be using one of two things: conductive plastic or dissipative foam. Understanding differences in these two materials can help in selecting the proper one for protecting electronic devices from static electricity.

Conductive plastic is a substance through which electricity can easily pass. That means that if static electricity accumulates on an object placed on a conductive plastic tray, the charge will quickly dissipate into the ground. This prevents from the static electricity that will damage electronic parts.

Dissipative foam is something else. It’s designed to inhibit the flow of electricity. So static electricity that accumulates on an object will take longer to go away if the object is sitting on a dissipative foam tray than if it’s sitting on a conductive plastic tray. While dissipative foam might not be as quick a fix as conductive plastic, it can satisfy the protective needs of many electronic devices.

Well, which is better—conductive plastic or dissipative foam? That depends on what your electronics require. Conductive plastic may be the better choice if you are working with sensitive components that require rapid dissipation of static charge. But if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative that still offers some protection against static electricity, dissipative foam might be a good bet.

Pros and Cons of Conductive Plastic:

Pros:

You are good at ridding yourself of static buildup fast

Strong and lasts a long time

Easy to clean

Cons:

May cost more than dissipative foam

May not be as pliable as foam

May not be esd tray compatible With all electronic devices

Advantages and Disadvantages of dissipative foam:

Pros:

Less expensive alternative in ESD protection

Lbl keeps the static away

Size can be customized tray esd to fit various electronic devices.

Cons:

May not be as quick to remove static charges

May not be as durable as plastic

Could be replaced or repaired more frequently

In the end, selecting conductive plastic and dissipative foam for your ESD protection will depend on what your electronic components require. If all you’re looking to do is shield yourself from the annoyance of static electricity, then conductive plastic could be your top option. But if you’re looking for a cheaper option that still gets the job esd foam tray done, dissipative foam might be the answer. Keep in mind, it’s very important to protect your electronic devices from static electricity if you want them to last and run well. Choose wisely!