Anti static bags, or anti static packaging, are used for the shipping of electronic components and devices. They are used to prevent electrostatic or static electricity from damaging electronic items in transit. There are two main kinds, which can be identified by colour: silver, for metallised PET film and other plastics, and pink or black, for polyethylene. Polyethylene is also produced as foam or bubble wrap in sheets and bags.
What is Electrostatic?
When materials rub together, an electric charge can build up. If the material is an insulator, that charge is held and doesn’t move and we refer to this as static electricity. When the charged object is then brought near an electrically neutral object there is an electrostatic discharge – or static electric shock – as the charge is neutralised.
We are all familiar with the results of static electricity. Small shocks from things as simple as walking on carpet and then touching metal can sometimes produce tiny and usually harmless – although often annoying – electric shocks. We’re also familiar with static cling – rubbing balloons, for example, so that they attract light filaments such as hair. Electrostatic can be less harmless when it comes to shipping electronic devices, especially small and sensitive devices. Sometimes it only takes as little as 30 volts to cause damage. Because much higher charges than this can build up easily and naturally, when shipping these types of devices it’s important to use anti static packaging.
Avoiding Electrostatic Damage
When your company is involved in shipping electronic devices, the last thing you need is for those products to arrive at their destination damaged. TriPak Ltd offer a range of anti static packaging which prevent static electricity building up and then discharging to cause damage. These products range from anti static bubble wraps, foams and bags, to high specification tapes and films designed for very delicate devices. These types of packaging protect from normal transit damage but also from electrostatic damage.