Wanted: anti-static storage foam

[poormystic]

Hi and smiles to all
I want to store my ICs on a nice big sheet of "that black foam" that IC's are sometimes delivered on. Conductive stuff, thick enough to put components on both sides...
I dream of half-meter square sheets of the stuff... my eyes go all soft and then I must (gaah) awaken! to the realities - that Nobody In The World Knows What This Stuff Is Called, and Nobody In The World Knows Where To Get Some.
Hmm. Those are questionable facts. I hope they are wrong.
So...
Does anybody know where to get good quality antistatic foam, for storing ICs in, please?

Mark

 

[Delta Prime]

Conductive ,Static Dissipative and/or Antistatic Foam. These Urethane Foams contain conductive carbon black and have permanent conductive properties.
A widely accepted surface resistivity method is ASTM D257.
You may also see them in the color pink, polyethylene but that is a different animal different impregnation of conductive material. Both types would suffice.
Try to get a sheet as thick (increases volume resistivity) as possible for storing through hole (DIP) dual in-line package IC’s. Shop around you might get it for less money than the links below. Now you know what to look for; good luck to you.

https://www.jameco.com/z/HDBC-1206-...SsApQS3jA9GquYPNNfgIcUm1hbGkMxa0aAs-ZEALw_wcB


https://www.amazon.com/4-Pack-Anti-...cphy=9031591&hvtargid=pla-2203136437893&psc=1


https://www.tme.com/us/en-us/detail...T08FjlW0LsjkYXzJDx2D4U8ngSGH_9XYaAvPWEALw_wcB

 

[poormystic]

Thank you very much, Delta Prime.
It's pretty cheap stuff! Now that I know its name I can probably find something a bit more local (I'm in Northern Queensland - far from just about everywhere.)

Here's an edit:
Jaycar, which is Australia's street level transistor and multimeter etc shop, assured me last week that they cannot supply the foam we've been discussing. However now I know what it is called, and have found it in their catalogue.
Shipping this stuff internationally is about as energy efficient as shipping aerogel - I'm glad to have found it locally.

 

[Bluejets]

Must be different internet or cyclone blew yours away....

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/175185575892
.

 

[Delta Prime]

Anti-static EVA foam is made of PE (PolyEthylene).
The only difference is
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) literally stinks! It has a horrible odor.
The noxious odor will permeate clothing, drapery, bed-sheets,
Also that eBay ad, says it’s good for sound insulation; which is probably true, because you can’t hear me laughing right now!

 

[Bluejets]

1pcs 1/3/5/10mm ESD Anti Static High Density foam

 

[shrtrnd]

I'm going to mention this FYI.
I've had DIP and leaded semiconductors stored, some for 40 years.
I don't know if the black foam has a life expectancy, but my belief is that some of the different makes have different chemical properties.
I know poormystic is in my age bracket from previous shared posts, so it may not matter, but
the very soft, pliable black foam deteriorates terribly, gumming-up the semiconductor leads. Maybe manufacturers don't make that
type anymore, but some devices I've had in the spongy foam had leads corroded so badly the devices became useless. Those
devices were in the spongy foam for 15 to 20 years.
Just some trivia I thought I'd share. I only use the stiff black foam now.
(But the good stuff I use now is pretty expensive. The last 12"x 18" sheet I bought cost me $35 US Dollars.

 

[Harald Kapp]

Styrofoam wrapped in aluminum foil also works, although it is not an ideal solution, I admit.

 

[poormystic]

I'm going to mention this FYI.
I've had DIP and leaded semiconductors stored, some for 40 years.
I don't know if the black foam has a life expectancy, but my belief is that some of the different makes have different chemical properties.
I know poormystic is in my age bracket from previous shared posts, so it may not matter, but
the very soft, pliable black foam deteriorates terribly, gumming-up the semiconductor leads. Maybe manufacturers don't make that
type anymore, but some devices I've had in the spongy foam had leads corroded so badly the devices became useless. Those
devices were in the spongy foam for 15 to 20 years.
Just some trivia I thought I'd share. I only use the stiff black foam now.
(But the good stuff I use now is pretty expensive. The last 12"x 18" sheet I bought cost me $35 US Dollars.

I'm 68... 20 years is fine

 

[shrtrnd]

What poormystic???
You have to plan for at least 40 year ESD foam,....
Otherwise you're going to be in my boat after 20 years wondering why I used that lousy spongy foam.
Of course by the time we hit 88, semiconductors will probably be obsolete, and we'll be antique dealers.

 

[Delta Prime]

Of course by the time we hit 88

There will be no resistance; you shall be assimilated. The revolution has begun. Resistance is futile…