ESD Antistatic Plastic Trays: Resistance Grades and How to Choose

An ESD antistatic plastic tray holds electronic components while dissipating static charge, preventing electrostatic discharge that destroys ICs, PCBs and chips. Sensitive components can fail silently from just a few dozen volts of static from a worker’s hand or an ordinary plastic tray. This guide explains the ESD mechanism, grades trays by surface resistance under ANSI/ESD S20.20, shows how to match a tray to each component type, and lists ICD tray specifications.

Why electronic components need antistatic trays

Static builds up when two materials rub and separate, for example a component sliding inside an ordinary plastic tray. A single electrostatic discharge (ESD) of only tens to hundreds of volts is enough to damage the ultra-thin semiconductor layers inside an IC, memory chip or sensor. ESD damage is often latent: the part still passes inspection but fails early in the finished product, causing field failures that are very hard to trace.

Ordinary plastic trays (untreated PP or HDPE) are insulators that accumulate static and discharge it into the component. ESD trays are compounded with conductive additives (carbon or conductive polymer) so the charge dissipates safely to ground instead of discharging abruptly.

Tray grades by surface resistance

The level of ESD protection is measured by surface resistance in ohms. ANSI/ESD S20.20 defines three main grades.

Component trays usually use the dissipative grade (10^6 to 10^9 ohms): it bleeds off static safely without conducting so fast that it causes a current surge. Assembly areas with stricter requirements use the conductive grade.

ESD tray formats by material

Moulded ESD plastic trays (conductive-compounded PP/HDPE)

Solid moulded trays compounded with conductive additive are durable, washable and reusable many times over. They suit ICs, modules and circuit boards on SMT lines and in component stores. This is the antistatic logistics tray ICD supplies to electronics plants.

ESD corrugated plastic (danpla) sheet and dividers

Antistatic corrugated plastic (black danpla) is used for boxes, dividers and light protective liners that guard components against scratches. It serves as cell dividers inside a tray, base liners, or boxes for large boards. It is lightweight and can be cut to the component cell layout.

ESD trays and boxes at ICD

The 478 x 378 mm base is the standard supplier tray for Samsung and LG (often called the KS tray). The ESD grade (conductive or dissipative) is chosen to the plant’s requirement; contact ICD to confirm the resistance that meets ANSI/ESD S20.20.

Choosing an ESD tray by component type

Use and care notes for ESD trays

Check resistance periodically

Dissipation capability degrades over time from dust, oil or incorrect washing. Measure surface resistance periodically with an ESD meter to confirm the tray is still in the 10^6 to 10^9 ohm range.

Never substitute an ordinary tray for an ESD tray

Ordinary plastic trays can look identical to ESD trays but are insulators that accumulate static. Never mix ordinary trays into an ESD-sensitive component area, even temporarily.

Related articles

Frequently asked questions about ESD antistatic trays

1. What is an ESD antistatic plastic tray?

It is a tray for electronic components compounded with conductive additive to dissipate static safely, preventing electrostatic discharge that damages ICs, PCBs and chips. It differs from an ordinary plastic tray, which is an insulator that accumulates and discharges static into the component.

2. What surface resistance counts as an ESD tray?

Component trays commonly use the dissipative grade of 10^6 to 10^9 ohms under ANSI/ESD S20.20. Strictly controlled areas use the conductive grade of 10^4 to 10^6 ohms. Above 10^11 ohms is an ordinary insulative tray, not for sensitive components.

3. How does an ESD tray differ from an ordinary plastic tray?

An ESD tray is compounded with conductive additives (carbon or conductive polymer) so it dissipates static; an ordinary tray is insulative plastic that accumulates static. They can look identical, so the only reliable way to tell them apart is to measure surface resistance.

4. What is antistatic corrugated plastic (danpla) used for?

Black ESD danpla is used as cell dividers, scratch-protecting tray liners, or boxes for large circuit boards. It is lightweight, can be cut to the component cell layout, and complements moulded ESD trays.

5. Do ESD trays lose effectiveness over time?

Yes. Dissipation capability degrades from dust, oil or incorrect washing. Measure surface resistance periodically with an ESD meter to confirm the tray is still within the 10^6 to 10^9 ohm range.

Contact and ESD tray quote from ICD