I think what Marie was trying to say is:
 
If you use colored totes, the coating is antistatic but not ESD protective, which is to say it prevents the material from generating ESD but does not protect the contents from external ESD sources. Yes, the coating can wear off after use. If you use the colored totes, you must also put static sensitive items in shielding bags. Using the black totes allows you to put static sensitive assemblies directly in the tote which acts as the ESD shielding as well as does not create a static charge. The black signifies that the plastic is impregnated with conductive material in order to provide ESD protection. 
 
The bottom line is that you have to provide some method of protection, e.g., ESD shielding bags or black totes. 
 
Blair Hogg
QA Manager
GAI-Tronics Corporation

>>> [log in to unmask] 03/30/04 03:04PM >>>
Hey again Technetters;

I've been watching the IPC Demo CD on ESD.  While watching I saw they were
using blue totes to transport PBW's and components.  We were told that
blue totes were not good to use, so our company went out and purchased a
huge amount of black totes.  Are the black ones better constructed or
what? Or was this a salespersons tactic for a sale?  We were told the
black totes had  the ESD material in the plastic and the blue had a
coating sprayed on which would wear off in a few years.  Which is true?
Anyone?

Thanks ahead of time



                        P.  Lance Mayes

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