Polyonics Aims to Protect Static Sensitive Optoelectronic Devices by Introducing Engineered Tapes and Label Materials

Westmoreland, NH -- Polyonics has introduced a variety of antistatic single and double coated engineered tapes and high performance label materials aimed at protecting static sensitive optoelectronic devices. These new materials offer both static dissipative features that safely dissipate triboelectric charges (see animation at right) as well as low tribocharging PSAs that provide low peel voltages when their liners are removed.

Optoelectronics, being semiconductor based devices, are highly susceptible to current spikes. These spikes result from electrostatic discharges (ESD) essentially high voltage, large joule discharges occurring over very short time frames. The resulting damage caused by these ESD events can be detected during manufacturing and/or during testing and can even remain latent and fail during operation by an end user. This increases the cost of manufacturing as well as warranty costs, plus can present legal liabilities if harm comes to an end user.

Triboelectric charges can occur via the human body model (HBM) when a human comes in contact with the device. Charging of the device can also occur when it comes in contact with other devices in the manufacturing environment. This type of charging is called charge device model (CDM) and includes contact with pick and place robots, transfer and conveyor mechanisms, fixturing, etc. Both forms of charging are prevalent in optoelectronic device manufacturing, both can lead to damaging ESD events and Polyonics antistatic materials can help solve both situations.

Polyonics TriboGard Technologies

Polyonics antistatic materials incorporate TriboGard Technologies that include a variety of specially formulated conductive elements that help prevent damaging ESD events. The conductive elements provide surface resistances of 10.5 to 10.9 Ohms, the heart of the dissipative spectrum. (See Surface Resistance Spectrum diagram at right.) This unique feature allows the materials to safely dissipate triboelectric charges and prevent ESD events. In addition, the materials include low tribocharging PSAs that produce a low peel voltage of <100v, when their liners are removed further protecting the optoelectronic device during application or removal.

The potential for damage from electrostatic discharges depends on charge density and how charges are handled by the surfaces they reside on. (See Charge Density chart top right.) Spots of charge (high charge densities) persist on insulative surfaces for long periods of time with little or no charge dissipation. If left unchecked, these spots can continue to grow in strength and, if contacted by a ground, can result in damaging ESD events. Conductive surfaces dissipate electrostatic charge