Liberty Intercept Blog

The US Military has packaging specifications to which companies packing products for military use, if so designated in their contract, should adhere.  The central document is the MIL-STD-20731E Standard Practice for Military Packaging.  This 183 page document has a great deal of information for contractors to follow, including definitions such as what is reusable, what is consumable, how to prepare the product for packaging, marking, etc.  The 2073 document also includes the methods on how to package.  For instance, Method 41 – “Watervaporproof bag, heat sealed. The item, preserved, wrapped, and cushioned as required in 5.2.3.6, shall be enclosed in a close fitting heat sealed bag conforming to MIL-DTL-117, Type I, Class E, Style 1, 2 or 3; or Type I, Class F, Style 1; or Type II, Class E, Style 1. (Note: For electrostatic protection refer to 5.2.4.1.)”. 

Where the icky brown rusty corrosion is easy to see on ferrous metals (steels; iron based), corrosion on non-ferrous metals is less visually intrusive, but may be more debilitating.  The electronics industry uses both ferrous and non-ferrous metals in their manufacturing.  Many of the chassis and support structures may be made of steel, but the conductive non-ferrous metals used for electron pathways are typically copper, silver, aluminum, and/or their alloys.

Here are four problems that can occur from corrosive reactions to the non-ferrous metals in electronics and their assemblies:

When choosing packaging materials to wrap industrial items, a manufacturer must decide what the chosen packaging material does for them. Treat this packing materials choice like any other purchase for the business or home - what benefits will you receive from the product and will it provide the value you anticipate.

For well over a year, my brother-in-law Spencer has immersed himself in the artistic glass industry.  Spencer works, plays, talks, studies, teaches, and I’m sure dreams glass.  He has gone to glass work camps and seminars, where he has met and worked with some of Americas most renowned glass artists.  Though in the field for a relatively short time, intellectually curious Spencer is one who will learn as much as can absorbed about a particular topic.  He recently made the comment that American glass makers are some of the best in the world.  European glass artists may have the name and reputation, but the American artists are making very creative pieces as well.  Spencer is from Britain and in the 10 years I’ve known him, has shown a healthy pride for the European side.  It was kind of him to share his new found deep respect for this particular American craft.