Interesting. Yes, for shipping I've also used the tubes as well in the past. Just sometimes it's a pain to cut them to length for one or two chips. I just figured that high density styrofoam was actually anti-static, and if it isn't then I certainly don't want to use it. Thanks for the advice, Peter!
Gary On Mon, Oct 30, 2023 at 4:16 PM Peter Noeth <petern0...@gmail.com> wrote: > I would NOT recommend the black carbonized foam for storage. We used to > use that type where I worked as a Component Level computer tech for our > "Component Inventory" many decades ago. It will turn the legs of I.C.s and > transistors black after a few months if you stick them into the foam, > requiring cleaning with a mild abrasive before soldering (risking static > damage). It may be a solution for shipment only. > > The other foam looks like High Density Styrofoam, as used in the building > trades for wall insulation. I have seen it both light blue and pink, used > for the purposes you mention, and have never trusted it as styrofoam is > inherently very staticy, even with anti-static additives. I have seen some > people wrap that foam in aluminum foil first before poking any leaded > components into it. This may be a shipment only solution. > > I have always used the plastic anti static tubes (rails) that the > manufacturers sell their components in, or the anti-static poly and > mylar bags that DigiKey and other distributors use. With "through hole" > components not being as popular as they once were, and "surface mount" > components now the "norm", your best solution would be the anti-static poly > and mylar bags easily found with an Internet search. > > Regards, > > PeterN > > On Mon, Oct 30, 2023 at 2:42 PM <m100-requ...@lists.bitchin100.com> wrote: > >> >> Message: 1 >> Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:25:24 -0700 >> From: Gary Weber <g...@web8201.com> >> To: M100 <m100@lists.bitchin100.com> >> Subject: [M100] Anti-static foam types >> Message-ID: >> < >> caajazkoqdyapx1godpsvutedor+x1npum1isuhrv+udoman...@mail.gmail.com> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" >> >> Question for anyone out there familiar -- >> >> There's a few kinds of antistatic foams out there that I've come across >> which have had DIP chips stuck into them for storage, and the ones I >> currently have on hand is the black stuff which is very porous, and this >> other very stiff stuff that almost has the feeling of styrofoam. (Not >> bendable.) >> >> Here's the two I have on hand: >> [image: image.png] >> >> Is anyone else familiar with the light colored antistatic "hard" foam >> that's in the right of this photo? What's it called and where would you >> obtain more of it? It seems to protect a DIP chip's pins much better for >> long term storage or shipping and I'd like to have some on hand. >> >> Thanks, >> >> -- >> Gary Weber >> g...@web8201.com >> -------------- next part -------------- >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >> URL: < >> http://lists.bitchin100.com/private.cgi/m100-bitchin100.com/attachments/20231030/b21a215a/attachment.htm >> > >> -------------- next part -------------- >> A non-text attachment was scrubbed... >> Name: image.png >> Type: image/png >> Size: 557591 bytes >> Desc: not available >> URL: < >> http://lists.bitchin100.com/private.cgi/m100-bitchin100.com/attachments/20231030/b21a215a/attachment.png >> > >> >>
