The discussion centers on the ESD compliance of FR4 G10 material used in wave pallets. Participants confirm that FR4 is inherently non-conductive and lacks specific ESD properties, making it unsuitable for ESD control without additional treatments. ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014 is referenced as a standard for ESD compliance, with surface resistance values exceeding 2000 volts indicating a potential issue. Alternatives like Durostone and Ricocell are suggested for better ESD performance.
PREREQUISITESManufacturing engineers, ESD compliance specialists, and anyone involved in the design and assembly of electronic components, particularly those using wave soldering techniques.
Welcome to the PF.Priss80 said:Good day. I am facing a case where most of the wave pallet top catch using FR4 G10 material tested not compliance to ESD. Can anyone help to confirm whether the G10 material is definitely not ESD? Can you share the product specification for the material with the surface resistance value?
Thanks.
berkeman said:Welcome to the PF.
Can you post links to the standards involved, and links to what the G10 variant of FR4 involves? FR4 fiberglass is non-conductive, so unless it has some other materials mixed into it, I don't see how it could be "ESD compliant" on its own. But, although I'm very familiar with ESD standards like EN 61000-4-2, I may not be familiar with whatever standard you are referring to.
Thanks for the link; I skimmed it but still do not understand your question (sorry).Priss80 said:Good day to you. I am referring to ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014, 8.3.1 Insulators (as per attachment). The technician measured the G10 of top catch at wave pallet using field meter, the result is >2000 volts.
As you mention the FR4 is non-conductive, i am curious to know the material is dissipative/ antistatic/ insulative? Therefore, i want to find out the surface resistance value for the material.
My final purpose is to find out whether we have selected wrong material for wave pallet or the material was degraded.
Hi.. wave pallet is a fixture to hold the PCBA when the assembly going through the wave soldering process. The material was common for industrial use so the company is using it and now found the issue. Thank you.berkeman said:Thanks for the link; I skimmed it but still do not understand your question (sorry).
What's a "wave pallet"?
Since FR4 is non-conductive, why do you want to use if for some component in ESD control? ESD dissipative materials that I'm familiar with usually have a resistivity of about 100kOhm to 1MOhm per square.
When a PCBA is going through wave solder, it is unpowered, so the risk of EOS is very low. Who is your expert consultant on this project? It seems like somebody is dropping the ball, or not willing to actually consult with a professional expert in the process/field.Priss80 said:Hi.. wave pallet is a fixture to hold the PCBA when the assembly going through the wave soldering process. The material was common for industrial use so the company is using it and now found the issue. Thank you.
Hi...G11 meet the ESD property but the price is higher than G10. Do you have any recommendation for FR4 antistatic coating or add in that permenantly change the G10 property to antistatic?CWatters said:FR4 is the stuff used to make printed circuit boards so it's going to be quite a good insulator. No specific anti static properties.
Google sugests Durostone or Ricocell might be better? Looks like you can also get FR4 with antistatic coatings/constituents.
berkeman said:When a PCBA is going through wave solder, it is unpowered, so the risk of EOS is very low.
I guess this is true for moderate energy EOS sources (like static discharges). Most of the circuitry I work with is not very sensitive to unpowered EOS, but it does sometimes happen.rbelli1 said:ESD is a problem powered or un-powered. You still damage the affected component even if you don't have any secondary damage due to malfunction or latch-up.
Oh yikes! Yeah, plastic bad...rbelli1 said:Someone at work decided it would be a good idea to place the 2N7000 fets in a plastic drawer without any anti static protection. They died from sliding in the bottom of the drawer when it was opened and closed. It was unlikely there was any "ZAP" going on except maybe across the gate oxide.