Controlling ESD and cleanliness by using new thermoplastic compounds for injection molded and corrugated packaging products

New static dissipative thermoplastic materials for injection molding and corrugated packaging have been recently developed based on the selective localization of carbon black in a multi-component system. This paper analyses the cleanroom compatibility of these new compounds with consistent resistivities within the desired static dissipative range (10/sup 6/-10/sup 9/ /spl Omega//sq) achieved with very low carbon black loadings (less than 2 wt%). The goals were to obtain an understanding of the various materials´ performance with regards to ESD and cleanliness. Ionic contamination, outgassing, nonvolatile residues and electrical properties are the main topics addressed.