sales@mstor.com.au
When shipping sensitive electronic devices, you want them to arrive in one piece at their destination! Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can cause irreversible damage to sensitive components, so you need to know how to safely pack and ship them.
The good thing is that packaging materials such as anti-static foam can protect your devices during transit.
In this guide, we'll explore the importance of ESD protection and selecting the best anti-static foam and packing techniques. After all, critical industries such as transportation require the best in quality.
What is Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)?
What is ESD? Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the release of static electricity when two objects come into contact. This discharge is damaging to electronic components such as microchips, circuit boards, and processors. Even a small amount of static electricity leads to equipment failure, malfunctions, or destruction of the internal components.
Although most ESD events are harmless to the human body, they still cause challenges for industrial environments. Electronic and medical device manufacturing, vehicle fabrication, or industries that use plastics or paper may have issues with static electricity. ESD can also slow production and affect product quality.
What causes an electrostatic discharge? A buildup of an electrostatic charge occurs when two different conductive materials (or conductors) rub together. The positively charged material bow has an electrostatic charge. If in contact with another conductive material such as Styrofoam or a plastic bag, a static charge is transferred and an ESD event happens.
What electronic components are vulnerable to ESD?
Let’s look at some electronic components at risk of ESD.
Semiconductors:
Used in almost every electronic device, semiconductors are particularly sensitive to static electricity. A single static charge can cause a semiconductor to fail.
Integrated Circuits (ICs):
Complex components with microprocessors or memory chips can be destroyed by even small electrostatic discharges.
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs): The components on these boards can be easily damaged by ESD.
Memory Modules:
RAM or flash memory memory modules.
Display Screens:
ESD can affect LCD and LED screens, leading to dead pixels or complete screen failure.
How To Choose Anti-Static Foam?
Let’s take a look at the different types of anti-static foam.
Anti-static foam is one of the most effective solutions for protecting electronics from ESD during shipping. What kind of foam can you choose to pack and ship?
Conductive Foam:
This type of foam conducts static electricity away from sensitive components, preventing ESD. It is usually black or dark in colour and is ideal for high-risk components like ICs and circuit boards.
Dissipative Foam:
Dissipative foam reduces the static charge buildup by slowly discharging it over time. It is less conductive than conductive foam but provides protection for less-sensitive components.
Pink Anti-Static Foam:
Used in general electronics packaging, pink foam offers a balance between protective capabilities and cost. It is effective at preventing the buildup of static charge, though it doesn’t offer the same high-level protection as black conductive foam.
Anti-Static Foam at MSTOR
MSTOR has an extensive anti-static foam range. Built for automotive, insulation, building, construction, packing, medical, and more, here are some types you can choose.
Anti-Static Fire-Retardant PE Foam Sheet
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Excellent resistance, toughness and flexibility
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Great tear strength, low water absorption, chemical resistance, and great UV properties
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Free of heavy metals, plasticisers and CFCs
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Designed for stringent packaging applications
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Dust-free when cut and easy to fabricate
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AS1530.3 fire-rated compliance
Anti-Static PE Foam Sheet
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Specially designed with a closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene
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Resilience, toughness and flexibility
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Great tear strength, low water absorption, chemical resistance and UV properties
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Free of heavy metals, plasticisers and CFCs
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Designed for stringent packaging applications
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Foam is dust-free when cut and is easy to fabricate
Anti-Static EPE Foam Sheet
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Premium protection and safety for storing or shipping sensitive electronic components
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Advanced anti-static properties
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Prevents the accumulation of electrostatic charge during transportation and handling
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Flexible, closed-cell structure with superior shock absorption
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Guards against impacts, vibrations, and compression
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Provides moisture resistance for demanding environments
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Eco-friendly and made from non-toxic, recyclable materials
To find the perfect foam sheets for your projects, browse the MSTOR online store and explore our range for industries that rely on critical applications. Bulk buy and save.
What about foam thickness and density? For delicate or small items like memory chips or mobile devices, thinner foam may work best. However, for larger or more fragile items like motherboards or laptop components, denser, thicker foam provides cushioning and static protection.
If you’re unsure, reach out to MSTOR for a product recommendation.
How To Select Packaging Materials?
As well as anti-static foam and other packaging materials, make sure that your electronics are safely shipped.
For example, why are static-free and dissipative bags important? Before placing your electronics into the anti-static foam, it’s essential to use a static-free or dissipative bag. These bags prevent static buildup and protect the electronics from electrostatic damage. Types of static-free bags include:
Anti-Static Poly Bags:
These bags have a protective coating that prevents the accumulation of static charge.
Metalised Bags:
These bags contain a thin layer of metal, which provides a higher level of protection against ESD and offers shielding from external interference.
Both types of bags offer excellent protection and should be used whenever possible to wrap sensitive components before packing them in anti-static foam.
Anti-static bubble wrap is another protective material that provides cushioning and is resistant to static charge buildup. This makes it ideal for extra protection during shipping. For smaller components, compartmental trays made of anti-static materials can help keep parts organised and reduce the risk of damage due to movement.
Do you want to learn more? Have a read of the top benefits of using thin foam sheets for protecting fragile electronics.
Preparing Electronics for Shipping
If you work in transport and ship electronics, you want to prepare them properly before shipping. What can you do?
Clean and Inspect Electronics Before Packing. Dust, dirt, or moisture can increase the risks of damage when shipping. This is especially important for sensitive components like PCBs and semiconductors. Inspect all cables, connectors, and peripherals, and if components are faulty, it’s best to repair or replace them before shipping.
Power Down and Disconnect Peripherals. Before packaging, ensure that all electronics are powered off and disconnected from any peripherals. Leaving a device plugged in could cause accidental power surges during shipping.
What are some other techniques for selling packaging?
Layer Components with Anti-Static Foam. Once your electronics are cleaned, inspected, and powered down, it's time to begin packing. Start by layering your electronic components with anti-static foam to protect them from both physical and electrical damage.
For smaller components, you can use foam inserts to secure the item within a larger foam enclosure. The foam should fit snugly around the electronics to prevent any movement during transit.
Double-Box Cushioning and Protection. Place the item inside a foam-lined box and then place that box inside a second larger box filled with cushioning material. This extra layer of protection ensures that your electronics are shielded from external impacts and that any rough handling during transit doesn’t affect the contents.
Use Foam Inserts and Spacers. Foam inserts and spacers can be used to ensure that your components fit securely inside their packaging. These inserts help prevent components from shifting around during transit, which could result in internal damage. When using foam inserts, be sure that they are custom-cut to the exact shape of the device. MSTOR has foam cutting services to help you with everything from straightforward cuts to intricate designs.
Secure Components. You can use securing techniques like anti-static straps or Velcro ties to prevent components from shifting inside their packaging.
For Anti-Static Foam Sheets: Why Enquire At MSTOR?
Choosing MSTOR as your supplier means investing in quality, expertise, and outstanding service. Here’s why our clients trust us:
Trusted Supplier:
With years of industry experience, MSTOR has established itself as a reliable provider of anti-static foam sheets across Australia.
Tailored Solutions:
We offer custom-cutting services, ensuring your foam products meet your specific size and functional needs.
Expert Staff:
Our knowledgeable team is always available for consultation to help you find the ideal solutions for every project.
High-Quality Products:
We maintain a dedication to excellence, ensuring that all our anti-static foam sheets, whether black or pink, offer superior protection and utility.
MSTOR caters to custom specifications, not just the dimensions, such as flame-retardant foam for safety-conscious industries or anti-static foam for sensitive electronics sectors. Our services fit all your foam solution needs, making us your reliable one-stop foam supplier in Australia.
Customised Anti-Static Foam Suppliers Australia: Order From MSTOR
Whether you're shipping sensitive components or entire devices, taking the time to pack them correctly will save you time and money in the long run.
If you’ve been looking for premium foam suppliers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide, you can buy quality foam sheets from MSTOR!
From tape slitting to laminating services and foam cut to size, contact us by emailing sales@mstor.com.au. Our products are available Australia-wide, customisable for all projects, and free shipping on purchases over $150 to VIC, NSW, QLD, SA and ACT.
Custom sizes and thickness available upon request! Please allow 2-5 business days for orders to be fulfilled.