Shipping parts

**The_Other_One** · 04-27-2006, 03:59 AM

Hmm...well, I'm not shipping a desktop computer, but basically everythign to make one

Anyway, I mostly had a question about a suggestion someone gave me. A guy told me to wrap this harddrive I'm shipping in tin foil

Now...maybe I'm just stupid or something, but wouldn't that cause more electricity to be transfered and more of a chance of being shocked? When I'm out of anti-static bags, I just use paper as I heard that's almost as good. Am I correct? Should I use tin foil? I mean, I'm going to if the guy wants me to...

Jet · 04-27-2006, 04:06 AM

I don't know. alu. foil does sound awfully risky. I'd stick to antistatic bags, though I know those run out

ahajv4life · 04-27-2006, 04:17 AM

alu. foil doesn't conduct electricity, so it is ok. Although it seems that i could scratch something....

**The_Other_One** · 04-27-2006, 04:21 AM

Umm... I can think of many times I've used it to fill gaps between contacts and batteries. I even have some now in my cheap MP3 player! It conducts electrcitiy quite well

**magicman** · 04-27-2006, 04:38 AM

Aluminium, like most metals, conducts electricity very well. The reason why aluminium foil isn't as reactive is because it reacts with the air to form a thin layer of aluminium oxide. I won't bore you with the chemical equations lol.

Basically, it will work in your circuits because it will act like a resistor, rather than like a piece of copper wire.

Paper is good I would have said, as has already been said it may cause scratching if you use foil.

Edit: I love the fact Americans cut out letters from Al-u-min-i-um, and instead just call it Al-u-min-um.

Ku-sama · 04-27-2006, 05:39 AM

doesnt papper generate static?

mrbagrat · 04-27-2006, 05:41 AM

I don't think so. Most fabrics do though.

**magicman** · 04-27-2006, 06:10 AM

Static electricity may be there in small amounts if the paper is too dry. Not that I'm encouraging you to pour water on it you know...

04-27-2006, 03:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,307	Shipping parts Hmm...well, I'm not shipping a desktop computer, but basically everythign to make one Anyway, I mostly had a question about a suggestion someone gave me. A guy told me to wrap this harddrive I'm shipping in tin foil Now...maybe I'm just stupid or something, but wouldn't that cause more electricity to be transfered and more of a chance of being shocked? When I'm out of anti-static bags, I just use paper as I heard that's almost as good. Am I correct? Should I use tin foil? I mean, I'm going to if the guy wants me to... __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

04-27-2006, 04:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jet Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5,285	I don't know. alu. foil does sound awfully risky. I'd stick to antistatic bags, though I know those run out __________________ Macbook/Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz/2GB DDR2 667/60GB HD/OSX 10.4.11/160GB 3.5" Firewire External/160GB Maxtor One Touch 4 Mini External/

04-27-2006, 04:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
The_Other_One Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lexington, NC Age: 23 Posts: 12,307	Umm... I can think of many times I've used it to fill gaps between contacts and batteries. I even have some now in my cheap MP3 player! It conducts electrcitiy quite well __________________ Urban De-Development * Athlon X2 4200 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| 7600GT * C2D T5250 \| 2048M RAM \| 160G HD \| Intel x3100 * G4 1.33GHz \| 512M RAM \| 40G HD \| Radeon 9200

04-27-2006, 04:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
magicman Moderator - F@H Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 3,063	Aluminium, like most metals, conducts electricity very well. The reason why aluminium foil isn't as reactive is because it reacts with the air to form a thin layer of aluminium oxide. I won't bore you with the chemical equations lol. Basically, it will work in your circuits because it will act like a resistor, rather than like a piece of copper wire. Paper is good I would have said, as has already been said it may cause scratching if you use foil. Edit: I love the fact Americans cut out letters from Al-u-min-i-um, and instead just call it Al-u-min-um. __________________ FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

04-27-2006, 06:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
magicman Moderator - F@H Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 3,063	Static electricity may be there in small amounts if the paper is too dry. Not that I'm encouraging you to pour water on it you know... __________________ FOLDING FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND :F@H Team 44358

04-27-2006, 04:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
ahajv4life Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Minnesota Age: 23 Posts: 729	alu. foil doesn't conduct electricity, so it is ok. Although it seems that i could scratch something....

04-27-2006, 05:39 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ku-sama banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Computer Cave. AKA: King Computer Inc. Age: 18 Posts: 5,312	doesnt papper generate static?

04-27-2006, 05:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
mrbagrat banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: See above Posts: 1,237	I don't think so. Most fabrics do though.

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