A long awaited alternative is now available to the traditional antistatic black or pink handling products used in EPAs.

Previously, particle shedding and vaporisation associated with the traditional carbon black and amine-based ESD protection products have made them unsuitable for use in clean rooms.
Vermason's E9 durAstatic material contains a polymeric additive that is non-contaminating and low-outgassing.
The Fraunhofer Institut in Stuttgart, Germany has conducted extensive tests of several E9 products for cleanroom suitability. All have been granted a qualification certificate. durAstatic products do not contain chemicals such as fatty amine or amide derivatives, nor do they contain carbon black or conductive fibres. They are made by blending a base polymer with theÊadditive, a recently developed, non migratory, permanently conductive polymer.
E9 is permanently static dissipative and low charging, making it an ideal material for in-plant use. The low-charging properties of E9 are effective at relative humidity levels as low as 12per cent. The material is non-corrosive and suitable for recycling.
As well as a variety of in-plant handling products, such as tote boxes, PCB racks and drawer inserts, E9 flexible packaging products are now available.
Moreover, letter trays, document wallets, solvent dispensers and wash bottles also help make the EPA cleaner and tidier. Several colours can be achieved, thus enabling easy identification of different product lines.
E9 products have been tested and approved as an IEC61340-5 material; all handling products are suitable for use in an EPA, and E9 bags can be used as intimate packaging for electrostatic sensitive devices. u

ENQUIRY No 43A

Vermason Ltd is based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. www.vermason.co.uk