ESD Cardboard: 6 Cost Savings Compared to ESD Shielding Bags

Q: What is Corstat® ESD cardboard?

Corstat® is effectively a carbon coating that is applied to corrugated cardboard. Corstat® coated board is commonly used to create long lasting, durable, and reliable anti-static boxes / packaging for delicate components and any item at risk from static electricity (e.g. microchips, PCBs, electronics, specialist tools and equipment etc.).

Q: How does Corstat® work?

Used by the majority of the large electronic companies in the USA and UK, Corstat® conductive coating creates a faraday cage in order to protect the items within. This, in effect, sees any static charges channelled around the cartons’ exterior, creating a safe path to ground. The obvious benefit provided by these properties is a vast reduction in items damaged during transit or storage, which can in turn lead to hugely significant cost savings.

Q: What is ESD?

ESD stands for “Electro Static Discharge”. This is defined as the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, and electrical short or dielectric breakdown. In industry, ESD can cause significant, costly damage to sensitive items such as electronics.

Q: Can I buy ready-made Corstat® boxes / packaging?

Whilst GWP Coating typically supply sheets or corrugated material coated with Corstat® (or other coatings) for use by sheet plants, it is possible to source a wide range of anti-static boxes, totes, dividers, and other static safe handling products too. These, like the coated ESD cardboard material, can be supplied as part of a confidential trade agreement.

Q: Is Corstat® safe to use?

Corstat® coating and any products that are fabricated from it are complete safe and insert. Corstat® material and boxes, packaging etc. can be handled with no requirement for PPE, although the product should not be ingested. It is also safe for Corstat® to be disposed of / recycled as per standard cardboard material, and is completely biodegradable.

Market Leading Corstat® ESD Coating

Conductive packaging, handling and ESD boxes

Corstat® conductive coating is the industry standard for creation of static safe packaging. These ESD cardboard sheets provides a buried shielding layer, which can be used to create a Faraday cage effect that offers a safe, controlled path to ground for static charges.

It is also completely safe to handle without the need for protective equipment, is easily converted on standard machinery and is fully recyclable. Besides this, you can source a wide range of prefabricated ESD boxes and packaging products available from an extensive stock holding. Read More

Available Colours:

No obligation (and no pressure) quotes for any coating
Free and impartial advice from UK based experts
Competitive pricing and confidential trade service

Description

More info on Corstat® ESD Cardboard

Corstat®, exclusively from GWP, is well known as the ESD industry standard for conductive corrugated board and is used to create cutting edge anti-static and ESD packaging solutions.

The material allows for the creation of durable anti-static packaging that is cheaper than conductive plastic or fibreboard alternatives. In fact, Corstat® is used by virtually every OEM electronics manufacturer due to its’ consistency, ease of use and reliability.

This is in addition to the benefits of using standard corrugated packaging (low cost, good strength, light weight etc.).

Corstat® is also the cleanest, longest lasting ESD cardboard in the marketplace. By providing a buried shielding layer and a sealed surface, it creates an effective, controlled path to ground for static charge and therefore a safe environment for static-sensitive devices.

Both high performance and reliability are guaranteed thanks to in-house production in an ISO 9002 environment. Corstat® conductive cardboard also offers consistent appearance and performance regardless of end application or product use and is fully bio-degradable and environmentally friendly. It is also safe for handling, containing no harmful chemicals.

And finally, Corstat® boxes and / or material also offers a 10 year shelf life to ensure long lasting performance.

Benefits for Sheet Plants

A common concern among sheet plants is that anti –static materials such as ESD cardboard (and ESD corrugated plastic sheet) can be difficult to process and fabricate.

Fortunately, Corstat® coated board can be easily converted using standard machinery.

This allows you to maintain efficient manufacturing processes, which in turn leads to cost savings for your sheet plant and improved margins. This also allows you to offer exceptionally competitive pricing, aiding repeat business too.

Another significant benefit of using Corstat® conductive coating is that it is completely safe and inert. As such, it requires no PPE or specialist handling measures, allowing for significant savings in conversion times.

Use of Corstat® coated board can offer a number of other benefits for your business.

This can be as simple as attracting new customers through an increased product range, or winning more business from your existing customers through upselling and cross-selling.

Besides this, Corstat® ESD cardboard can be supplied on short lead times (usually twenty-four hours) due to our large stock holding.

Also being available in both high and low runs, (with a minimum order of 200 sq. m), it allows you to offer flexible MOQs and minimise storage space through not having to over-order raw materials.

Prefabricated packaging / handling products

It is also possible to offer your customers a wide selection of pre-fabricated conductive packaging products from a vast stock-holding held at GWP Coatings.

This not only reduces lead times still further, but allows you to provide Corstat® boxes and products that have been widely and successfully used throughout numerous industries for over twenty-five years.

And regardless of whether you opt for coated material or prefabricated anti-static boxes / packaging, any products you source from GWP can be supplied as part of a completely confidential, trade agreement.

Key benefits of Corstat® ESD cardboard at a glance

Exceptional conductive performance for protecting electronics and minimising costs of damage
Buried shielding layer creates an effective, reliable “Faraday Cage” effect for highest protection
10 year shelf live ensures longevity and ongoing performance
A cost-effective alternative to moulded plastic to further reduce costs
Biodegradable and eco-friendly, with no requirement for specialist / costly disposal methods
Completely inert (no halogenated compounds, aromatics etc.) to eliminate need for PPE
Can be easily converted on standard machinery, including the ability for overprinting
Available as coated ESD cardboard sheets, or a wide range of prefabricated products within 48 hours
Recognised industry standard ESD cardboard, providing “tried & trusted” performance
Low runs (from 200sq metres) allows you flexibility with order volumes

Technical

Performance Info / Data

Please see below for the specific performance / properties of Corstat® ESD cardboard. If there are any performance figures that you require but are not listed here, please get in touch.

Electrical

Surface Resistivity (per ASTMD257-78)

Buried Shielding Layer <10⁴ ohms/sq.

Exterior Layer <10⁵ ohms/sq.

Electrostatic Decay Rate (per Mil B 81705B, Test Method 4046 Federal TMS 101B): Less than 2.0 seconds to theoretical zero

ESD Shielding: 99.9% Attenuation (Capacitive Probe Test)

Triboelectric Charge Generation approximately 0.1 C/inch std. condition

Chemical

Surface Resistivity:

Reducible Sulphur: .00035% (.0008% non-tarnishing to silver, solder, and copper per TAPPI T-406)

Amines: None

Galvanic Reaction: None

Mechanical

Liner papers 100% pure kraft

Shelf Life 10 years

Humidity Dependence: No effect on electrical properties

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions on ESD cardboard

Confused about ESD? Know you need anti static packaging but not sure where to start/ Or just have general technical queries?

The below covers a number of commonly asked questions regarding Corstat®. But if you cannot see the info you need, then please get in touch.

What is Corstat® ESD cardboard?

Corstat® is effectively a carbon coating that is applied to corrugated cardboard. Corstat® coated board is commonly used to create long lasting, durable, and reliable anti-static boxes / packaging for delicate components and any item at risk from static electricity (e.g. microchips, PCBs, electronics, specialist tools and equipment etc.).

How does Corstat® work?

Used by the majority of the large electronic companies in the USA and UK, Corstat® conductive coating creates a faraday cage in order to protect the items within. This, in effect, sees any static charges channelled around the cartons’ exterior, creating a safe path to ground. The obvious benefit provided by these properties is a vast reduction in items damaged during transit or storage, which can in turn lead to hugely significant cost savings.

What is ESD?

ESD stands for “Electro Static Discharge”. This is defined as the sudden flow of electricity between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, and electrical short or dielectric breakdown. In industry, ESD can cause significant, costly damage to sensitive items such as electronics.

Can I buy ready-made Corstat® boxes / packaging?

Whilst GWP Coating typically supply sheets or corrugated material coated with Corstat® (or other coatings) for use by sheet plants, it is possible to source a wide range of anti-static boxes, totes, dividers, and other static safe handling products too. These, like the coated ESD cardboard material, can be supplied as part of a confidential trade agreement.

Is Corstat® safe to use?

Corstat® coating and any products that are fabricated from it are complete safe and insert. Corstat® material and boxes, packaging etc. can be handled with no requirement for PPE, although the product should not be ingested. It is also safe for Corstat® to be disposed of / recycled as per standard cardboard material, and is completely biodegradable.

Free Quotes / Advice

No obligation quotes and genuinely impartial advice

GWP Coatings can offer your sheet plant a comprehensive range of protective coatings for corrugated cardboard. From water resistance to pantone colours, corrosion inhibitor (VCI) to anti abrasion, you can specify coated board that exactly meets the needs of your customers.

Regardless of the intended use or end application, this wide range of coatings enables you to offer your customers a greater selection of products, ultimately enabling you to win new business and increase order volumes from existing customers.

GWP Coatings is also proud to be a member of the Sheet Plant Association (SPA). This long-standing relationship ensures you can be confident that all board / coatings supplied will be done so on a completely confidential basis.

With over twenty years of supplying the sheet plants of all sizes, you can be certain that any of the free, impartial advice and guidance provided, or indeed any board coated, will be of the highest possible standard.

Alternative Coatings

Wide selection of specialist finishes for corrugated cardboard

Your business or sheet plant can source a much wider range of coated cardboard than just conductive / ESD. Please see below for a range of further options.