Mục lục
- Why electronic components need antistatic trays
- Tray classification by surface resistance
- ESD tray types by material
- ESD trays and boxes at ICD
- Selecting a tray class by component type
- Usage and maintenance notes
- Related articles
- Frequently asked questions about ESD antistatic trays
- Contact and ESD tray quote from ICD
An ESD antistatic plastic tray is a component-carrying tray blended with a conductive agent so static charge dissipates safely rather than arcing into ICs, PCBs, or chips. Sensitive electronics can be silently destroyed by just a few tens of volts of static from a hand or an ordinary plastic tray. This article explains the ESD mechanism, how trays are classified by surface resistance under ANSI/ESD S20.20, how to select the right tray class for each component type, and the ESD tray specifications available from ICD.
Why electronic components need antistatic trays
Static electricity builds up when two materials rub and then separate - for example, a component sliding inside a standard plastic tray. A single electrostatic discharge (ESD) of just a few tens to a few hundred volts is enough to destroy the ultra-thin semiconductor layers inside ICs, memory chips, and sensors. ESD damage is often latent: the component still passes inspection but fails early in the finished product, causing field failures that are extremely difficult to trace back.
Standard plastic trays (unmodified PP or HDPE) are insulators that accumulate static charge and then discharge it directly into components. ESD trays are blended with a conductive agent (carbon or conductive polymer) so charge dissipates safely to ground instead of discharging abruptly.
Tray classification by surface resistance
The level of ESD protection is measured by surface resistance (ohm). ANSI/ESD S20.20 defines three main groups.
| Group | Surface resistance (ohm) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Conductive | 10⁴ - 10⁶ | Very fast dissipation; used in strict ESD-controlled areas |
| Dissipative | 10⁶ - 10⁹ | Controlled dissipation; the most common choice for component trays |
| Insulative | above 10¹¹ | Standard plastic tray - NOT suitable for ESD-sensitive components |
Component trays typically use the dissipative group (10⁶-10⁹ ohm): charge dissipates safely without discharging too fast and causing a current spike. The conductive group is reserved for assembly areas with the strictest ESD requirements.
ESD tray types by material
Injection-moulded ESD plastic tray (conductive PP/HDPE)
A solid-moulded tray blended with a conductive agent throughout. Durable, washable, and reusable many times. Suitable for ICs, modules, and PCBs on SMT production lines and in component warehouses. This is the logistics ESD tray type ICD supplies to electronics factories.
ESD danpla sheet and antistatic dividers
Black antistatic danpla is used to make lightweight boxes, dividers, and tray liners that protect components from scratching. It can be cut to cell dimensions for tray inserts, used as tray base liners, or formed into boxes for larger PCBs.
ESD trays and boxes at ICD
| ICD model | Dimensions (mm) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics tray 480-100 | 478 x 378 x 103 | SMT components, PCBs |
| Logistics tray 480-150 | 478 x 378 x 150 | Camera modules, precision mechanical parts |
| Black ESD danpla | Cut to order | Dividers, tray liners, PCB boxes |
The 478 x 378 mm footprint is the standard supplier tray size for Samsung and LG lines (commonly called KS tray). The ESD class (conductive or dissipative) is selected to match the factory requirement; contact ICD to confirm the right resistance range for ANSI/ESD S20.20 compliance.
Selecting a tray class by component type
| Component | Recommended tray group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ICs, memory chips, sensitive sensors | Dissipative 10⁶-10⁹ | Use cell dividers to prevent contact damage |
| Assembled PCBs | Dissipative or conductive | Flat tray with ESD danpla liner |
| Electronic mechanical modules | Dissipative | 150 mm deep tray to prevent tipping |
Usage and maintenance notes
Periodic resistance testing
Dissipation performance degrades over time due to dust, oil contamination, or incorrect washing. Measure surface resistance regularly with an ESD meter to confirm the tray stays within the 10⁶-10⁹ ohm range.
Do not substitute standard trays for ESD trays
A standard plastic tray can look identical to an ESD tray but is an insulator that accumulates static charge. Never introduce standard trays into ESD-sensitive component areas, even temporarily.
Related articles
| What is a component tray: types and uses | How to read plastic bin and corrugated tray codes | ICD electronic component trays |
Frequently asked questions about ESD antistatic trays
1. What is an ESD antistatic plastic tray?
A component-carrying tray blended with a conductive agent to safely dissipate static charge, preventing electrostatic discharge from damaging ICs, PCBs, and chips. Unlike a standard plastic tray - which is an insulator that accumulates and discharges static into components - an ESD tray routes charge harmlessly to ground.
2. What surface resistance value qualifies as ESD-compliant?
Component trays most commonly use the dissipative group at 10⁶-10⁹ ohm per ANSI/ESD S20.20. Strict ESD-controlled areas use the conductive group at 10⁴-10⁶ ohm. Above 10¹¹ ohm is a standard insulative tray that must not be used for sensitive components.
3. How does an ESD tray differ from a standard plastic tray?
An ESD tray is blended with a conductive agent (carbon or conductive polymer) so it dissipates static charge. A standard tray is an insulating plastic that accumulates charge. The two can look identical from the outside; the only reliable way to tell them apart is to measure surface resistance.
4. What is black ESD danpla used for?
Black ESD danpla sheet is used to make cell dividers, tray base liners that protect against scratching, and boxes for larger PCBs. It is lightweight, can be cut to any cell dimension, and complements injection-moulded ESD trays.
5. Does an ESD tray lose effectiveness over time?
Yes. Dissipation performance degrades through dust, oil build-up, or incorrect washing. Surface resistance should be measured periodically with an ESD meter to confirm the tray remains within the 10⁶-10⁹ ohm range.
Contact and ESD tray quote from ICD
ICD Viet Nam Industrial Production Company Limited
North: Floor 3, Thang Long A1 Building, Bau Hamlet, Thien Loc Commune, Hanoi - 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
South: 551/212 Le Van Khuong, Tan Thoi Hiep, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City - 098 6784 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn · Zalo: Chat on Zalo now
Tell us your component type and the ESD class your factory requires, and ICD will recommend dissipative or conductive trays and quote with full resistance specifications.
