In cleanroom environments, even microscopic contaminants or a small electrostatic discharge (ESD) event can have devastating consequences. Whether you’re manufacturing semiconductors, assembling medical devices, or producing aerospace components, contamination control and ESD safety must work hand in hand. One small but critical component in achieving this balance is anti-static tape.
This article explores the unique role that anti-static tape plays in cleanrooms—highlighting its functionality, advantages, and best practices for use in ultra-clean, electrostatically sensitive environments.
-
Why ESD Control Is Critical in Cleanrooms
Cleanrooms are controlled environments designed to minimize airborne particles, chemical vapors, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. However, they are also inherently prone to electrostatic buildup due to:
Low humidity (often < 40% RH)
Synthetic materials (gowns, gloves, plastic surfaces)
Constant movement of personnel and equipment
These conditions can lead to ESD events that damage sensitive components such as ICs, sensors, MEMS devices, or thin films. Because cleanroom products are often expensive and complex, even a single discharge event can cause catastrophic loss—making proactive static control a top priority.
Anti-static tape plays a vital role in supporting ESD-safe procedures without introducing particulate contamination.
-
What Makes Anti-Static Tape Cleanroom-Compatible?
Not all anti-static tapes are suitable for cleanroom use. Cleanroom-compatible ESD tapes must meet both electrostatic and cleanliness requirements.
Key characteristics include:
Low outgassing: The tape must emit minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under vacuum or heat conditions.
Non-shedding: The backing and adhesive must not generate fibers, flakes, or dust during application or removal.
Low ion contamination: Especially important in semiconductor fabs, where ionic residues can affect wafer yields.
Consistent surface resistivity: Typically within the 10⁶–10⁹ ohms range for static-dissipative materials.
Some anti-static tapes are packaged and produced in ISO 5–7 cleanroom conditions, using class-specific manufacturing controls and packaging materials.
-
Common Applications of Anti-Static Tape in Cleanrooms
Anti-static tape serves a wide variety of purposes in cleanroom environments, such as:
Masking During High-Precision Processes
In photolithography, plasma etching, or laser cutting, tapes are used to mask off areas of wafers, displays, or optics.
Anti-static tapes are preferred here because they do not introduce additional charge or particles.
Securing and Bundling
Taping down wires, tubes, or antistatic mats in cleanrooms.
Wrapping tool handles or fixing covers on static-sensitive equipment.
Temporary Bonding and Holding
Used during alignment or bonding of components where vacuum tools are impractical.
Tapes must hold securely without introducing particles or residue.
Labeling and Identification
Anti-static labels are used to identify parts, tools, or zones in static-sensitive areas.
- Recommended Materials for Cleanroom ESD Tape
The substrate and adhesive system of the tape determine its cleanroom compatibility.
| Material | Advantages | Application |
| Polyimide (PI) | High-temp resistance, low outgassing | Masking in soldering or thermal processing |
| Polyester (PET) | Clear, strong, low particulates | Surface protection and general bonding |
| Conductive fabric/foil | Grounding, shielding | EMI-sensitive cleanroom zones |
The adhesive should be acrylic or silicone-based, designed for clean removal with minimal outgassing. Rubber-based adhesives are rarely used in cleanrooms due to higher contamination risk.
-
Compliance with Cleanroom Standards
To be suitable for cleanroom use, anti-static tape should conform to specific standards, such as:
ISO 14644-1: Cleanroom classification by particle count
NASA SP-R-0022A / ASTM E595: Low-outgassing materials
IEC 61340-5-1: ESD control requirements
RoHS/REACH compliance: For restricted chemicals and heavy metals
In critical environments, manufacturers often require test reports for:
Total Mass Loss (TML)
Collected Volatile Condensable Material (CVCM)
Surface resistivity (per ANSI/ESD S11.11)
-
Best Practices for Using Anti-Static Tape in Cleanrooms
To maximize both cleanliness and ESD control, follow these guidelines:
Store tape in original clean packaging until use.
Use ESD-safe gloves when applying tape to avoid contamination.
Avoid cutting tape on exposed surfaces—use clean shears or automatic dispensers in designated tape-cutting zones.
Clean application surfaces before taping to minimize particle entrapment.
Document tape usage as part of your cleanroom materials tracking system.
For highly sensitive zones, request cleanroom-packaged rolls from your supplier, labeled with batch numbers and certifications.
-
Benefits of Using Anti-Static Tape in Cleanrooms
Choosing the right tape enhances both process efficiency and product integrity. Benefits include:
✅ Preventing electrostatic damage during critical operations
✅ Minimizing particle generation from adhesives or films
✅ Maintaining cleanroom class compliance
✅ Reducing rework, yield loss, and field failure rates
In many industries, cleanroom-compatible anti-static tape is no longer optional—it’s part of the core contamination and ESD control strategy.
Conclusion
In cleanroom environments where cleanliness and electrostatic control must coexist, anti-static tape serves as a multifunctional, low-profile solution. By selecting tapes that meet cleanroom standards for outgassing, particle control, and ESD safety—and applying them with care—you ensure that this simple tool continues to provide powerful protection for your most sensitive products and processes.
