The Gel-Box, Gel-Tray and Gel-Slide product series are designed to protect and store sensitive devices and specimens during transport, processing, inspection and assembly.

Devices can be loaded and removed easily using tweezers or by hand from the unique highly cross-linked Gel polymer. The degree of holding force of the Gel is depending on the tackiness of the Gel material, which is called Retention Level.

The Gel material is strong in both shear and vertical directions, but weak in the peel direction, which allows parts to be easily unloaded from the Gel surface.

Gel is an extremely durable and versatile material that maintains its properties between -40°C to 220°C. Minimum shelf life is 2 years. Applications for semiconductor devices, sensors, micromechanical devices, pptoelectronics, hard drive heads, bio-medical devices, specimen storage.

Retention levels available are X0, X4 and X8. The optimum tack level for individual parts depends on material, size, weight and surface roughness. Unfortunately there is no exact formula to calculate the retention level but general guidelines are:

• Low retention level – X0 – for highly polished surfaces
• Medium retention level – X4 – for pre-polished and/or etched surfaces
• High retention level – X8 – for rough surfaces like ceramics

Gel-Pak® has devised an effective box system with offers a versatile selection of box materials optimized for the diverse range of applications:

• C – Conductive black polycarbonate (optimum protection against static discharges)
• AS – Clear Anti-Static plastic (optimum visibility)
• CAS – Clear Anti-Static top with conductive plastic bottom (optimum for ESD safe protection and visibility)
• T – Clear Styrene Box for non ESD sensitive parts (most economical solution)