Understanding the three categories of ESD materials is essential for selecting the right packaging:

Conductive Materials (10^0 - 10^4 Ω)

Allow charges to flow freely across the surface. Ideal for shielding bags and conductive containers. Example: Carbon-loaded polyethylene.

Static-Dissipative Materials (10^4 - 10^11 Ω)

Allow charges to flow to ground in a controlled manner. Best for work surfaces and component handling trays. Example: Dissipative PVC.

Anti-Static Materials (10^9 - 10^12 Ω)

Resist triboelectric charge generation. Suitable for general packaging where static generation must be minimized. Example: Anti-static treated PE bags.