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Most people are aware of regular high charging tape in ESD Protected Areas (EPAs) and know that these should be replaced with ESD tape. However, there is a lot of confusion out there as to what type of ESD tape should be used for what application. So we’ve put together an overview of the different types of ESD tape available and when to use them.
“All generators of electrostatic charges, such as untreated plastic films, foams, synthetic fibres, adhesive tapes, etc., must be prohibited and should be kept away from the EPA [ESD protected area].” (EN 61340-5-2 section 6)
“EPA should never have any electrostatic generative adhesive tapes or labels, as these can cause very high potentials when applied or stripped off.” (EN 61340-5-1 section 7.4)
ESD Cellulose Tape
Technical information:
- Colour: generally transparent; some types have a blue, red, green or yellow hue
- Film construction: cellulose
Examples of ESD Cellulose Tape - find out more
Application:
- Sealing ESD bags and other ESD packaging/containers
- General purpose ESD tape applications
- Secure (bundle) IC DIP tubes
- Prevents damage to sensitive electronic components in manufacturing
- Ideal for holding notes, work orders or instructions in offices, ESD workstations, or for general purpose
- Ideal for conformal coating or holding and sealing supplies in manufacturing
- Ideal in packaging for container sealing, static shielding bag closure and holding DIP tubes
- Use with ESD symbols for ESD awareness
ESD Conductive Shielding Grid Tape
Technical information:
- Colour: tan/brown with black grid pattern
- Film construction: antistatic copolymer with conductive grid layer
Examples of ESD Conductive Shielding Grid Tape - find out more
Application:
- For applications requiring EMI shielding
- Use in areas where the generation of static electricity is of concern
- Secure (bundle) IC tubes
- Cover external plugs, holes or connector pins on electronic chassis (black boxes, etc.) during transportation or storage
ESD High-Temp Masking Tape
Technical information:
- Colour: natural
- Film construction: crepe paper
Examples of ESD High-Temp Masking Tape - find out more
Application:
- Silk screening applications
- Masking application in spray and brush painting, non-staining
- Protective purposes in manufacturing processes, strips clean
- For securing polyethylene sheeting to walls during painting
- For OEM repair shops
- Use in applications masking PCBs gold features for wave soldering or soldering under 150°C
- Thick conductive adhesive excellent for conformability to protect critical PCB features
- Easily handles high temperatures of wave soldering without leaving significant residue
- Handles temperatures found in test and burn-in ovens
- For best results, apply to board using a rubber roller
ESD High-Temp Polyimide Tape
Technical information:
- Colour: brown opaque
- Film construction: polyimide
Examples of ESD High-Temp Polyimide Tape
Application:
- Ideal for masking gold leads and other components on boards populated with sensitive integrated circuits
- Thick conductive adhesive excellent for conformability to protect critical PCB features
- Masking off PCBs for IR reflow ovens or wave soldering under 300°C for ~ 10 seconds
Aisle or Floor Marking Tape
Technical information:
- Colour: yellow with black printing
- Film construction: PVC
Examples of Floor Marking Tape - find out more
Application:
- Use to mark off floors designating ESD Protective Areas
- Can be used as area signs
- Note: floor marking tape has no ESD control properties
Packaging Tape
Technical information:
- Colour: yellow with black printing
- Film construction: PVC
Example of Packaging Tape
Application:
- Suitable for sealing secondary packaging such as cartons
- Note: packaging tape has no ESD control properties
ESD tapes come in all sorts of widths and lengths so make sure you check the specifcations to ensure your chosen tape will work for your application. And once you've picked the right kind of ESD tape, don't forget an ESD tape dispenser to go with it...