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Ultimate Guide to ESD Safe Tweezers
Nov
22
2020
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Tweezers
ESD tweezers are critical for manufacturing microelectronics, watches, and Medical device components. They come in a variety of materials (metallic and non-metallic) and shapes (square tip, flat tip, angled tip, fine point) for your specific needs, whether you manufacture PCBs, assemble aerospace electronics, or repair phones. Lab Pro stocks an assortment of ESD tweezers, both conductive and dissipative, as discussed in this guide.
What is ESD?
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the abrupt flow of electricity between two differently charged objects when they encounter each other. A lightning bolt is a type of naturally occurring electrostatic discharge caused by the release of built up electrical charges. Lightning rods protect buildings by diverting the enormous electron storm by providing a low resistance path to the ground.
Even though ESD that occurs on a smaller scale is not as remarkable as lightning, it can cause explosions, destroy industrial equipment, and harm humans. A human walking across a vinyl floor can generate static electricity up to 35,000 volts. Electrostatic elements inside tiny electrical devices like drive components cannot even withstand 10 volts of electricity.
Like mini-lightning rods, conductive ESD tweezers transfer static electricity through electronics, but devices are only protected if the operator is grounded. “ESD Safe” tweezers made of static dissipative material or are coated limit the peak current at which static discharge occurs to prevent sparks and arcs. Only ESD safe tweezers should be used when working with static sensitive devices like semiconductors, capacitors, and resistors.
ESD Tweezer Material
Carbon steel tweezers are extremely durable, highly magnetic, and great for high precision tasks, although they will rust and stain. ExceltaTM carbon steel tweezers that are coated with epoxy have enhanced properties.
Epoxy coated antimagnetic electronic tweezers are coated with an ESD-safe epoxy with a resistance of 105-106 Ohm/sq. and can be used up to 120°C. The tough polymer coating provides good grip and enhanced resistance to acids, alkalis, and oxidation. Prolonged contact with organic solvents should be avoided. Industries that use these tweezers include biological sciences, electronics manufacturing, microscopy preparation, and watchmaking.
Nonmagnetic, high precision, non-scratching plastic tweezers are made of carbon fiber, lead-free, and are resistant to 102 Ohms/sq. and can be used at temperature up to 130-190°C. These plastic tweezers conduct well, yet also have low surface resistivity. Carbon fiber has good resistance to nonpolar solvent, fuels, and greases. Avoid contact with strong acids, alkali, and high temperature water. Plastic tweezers are particularly suited for cleanroom applications, wafer handling, and repairing circuit boards.
Antimagnetic stainless-steel tweezers contain low carbon and alloy additions like chromium, nickel, and molybdenum so that they are non-magnetizable and chemical/corrosion resistance, including salts and acids. Lab Pro carries Excelta brand Neverust® Stainless Steel tweezers. These tweezers are a must have for electronics assembly involving chemical processes. Stainless steel tweezers are also useful for many clean rooms and general lab applications. They are not ESD safe.
Visit Lab Pro’s shop to browse our selection of high quality ESD tweezers, where you will find high temperature resistant tools for soldering, chemical resistant pincers for grasping delicate semiconductor wafers, and clearly labeled ESD safe tweezers by Excelta.
|
Product |
Info |
ESD Safe |
Surface Resistance |
Temp Resistance |
Tool Length |
|
Tweezer 15ARW-N - ESD epoxy coated cutting tweezers, full body - Carbon Steel |
Flame hardened cutting tip for cutting soft wire up to 0.25 mm, angled blade, Swiss made with superior finish |
Yes |
105-106 Ohms/sq. |
|
4.5" (115 mm) |
|
Conductive PPE tweezers with fine precision points for electronic assembly; ideal for applications requiring heat; 1/4" tip |
Yes |
105 Ohms/sq. |
212°F |
4.5" (115 mm) |
|
|
Conductive PPE tweezers for non-scratch applications that will not mar wires |
Yes |
105 Ohms/sq. |
212°F |
4.625" (115 mm) |
|
|
Conductive PPE non-scratch |
Yes |
105 Ohms/sq. |
212°F |
4.5" (115 mm) |
|
|
84° angle |
Yes |
105 Ohms/sq. |
212°F |
4.75" (119 mm) |
|
|
Conductive PPE non-scratch for wafer; 1/8" tip |
Yes |
105 Ohms/sq. |
212°F |
4.63" (116 mm) |
|
|
Standard heat 70° tip for cutting and stripping soft wire up to 0.01" (0.25 mm) |
Yes |
105-106 Ohms/sq. |
|
4.5 in. (113 mm) |
|
|
Excelta M-5-S Very Fine Point Stainless Steel Microscopy Tweezer |
Finest point available for high precision microscopy; special handling required |
No |
|
|
2.75 in. (70 mm) |
|
Excelta 15A-ST-PE-36, 70º Angulated Carbon Steel Wire Stripping Tweezer |
Angled wire stripping tip for cutting and stripping wire gage up to 36 AWG without nicking; flame hardened edge; conductive |
No |
105-106 Ohms/sq. |
|
4.5" (113 mm) |
|
Excelta 815-SA-SE Straight Hole In Tip Anti-Magnetic Stainless Steel Tweezer |
Straight hole in tip, antimagnetic for holding small parts; inside hole diameter 1.5 mm |
No |
|
|
4.5" (113 mm) |
|
Excelta 00-SA Strong Straight Medium Point Neverust® Anti-Magnetic Stainless Steel Tweezer |
Most popular general-purpose precision straight tweezer used without magnification |
No |
|
|
4.5 in. (115 mm) |
Note: These tools are meant to be used for research, industrial work, cleaning or disinfecting and should always be stored out of the reach of young children or infants.
For over 40 years, Lab Pro Inc. has been committed to delivering the highest quality chemicals, ESD tweezers, laboratory and cleanroom supplies to medical device and electronic manufacturing laboratories worldwide. To learn more, visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.
References
EOS/ESD Association, Inc.
