Frequently Asked Questions About Intercept

How long does the protection from the Intercept Technology barrier last?

Intercept’s protective shelf life is many years, even decades. Testing from Bell Labs and Dupont has shown that the Intercept products’ life span is related to the thickness of the chosen film. Based on that data, Intercept products can be built to last as long as needed.

Does the entire Intercept product line protect against ESD events?

Static Intercept is permanently in the perfect dissipative range according to the ESDA. Static Intercept Foil is static dissipative, shielding, and offers EMI protection. By itself, Corrosion Intercept is insulative, but it’s non-tribocharging (that is, it won’t create a static field). As the inside layer for the RIBS static shielding material, CI is static dissipative.

Does Static Intercept shield against static charges?

RIBS and SIF are shielding materials. Static Intercept was designed to protect the Bell Labs preferred way, which is the static dissipative way, draining the static charges quickly and safely to ground.

When protecting against corrosion, don’t all barrier products work the same?

Barrier protection products work in vastly different ways. The Intercept Technology line of products protects in two ways. First, they act as a moisture barrier. Second, they react with and permanently neutralize corrosive gases that form a corrosive gas barrier. This dual form of protection eliminates the two elements needed to form atmospheric corrosion. Intercept’s mechanism for protection is sacrificial; therefore it won’t contaminate the product it’s protecting. The typical “waterproof” or vapor barrier bags concept is to attempt to keep the atmosphere and/or relative humidity from the protected product; whereas the emitting protection products will coat the protected product to stop corrosion from forming.

Shouldn’t keeping water from our metals be enough to stop corrosion?

Not necessarily. The atmospheric corrosive gases, such as chlorines, sulfurs, ozone, nitrous groups, when compared to water are smaller, faster, and have a need to neutralize. They can penetrate materials that water can’t. That’s why there can be corrosion issues even in ‘dry’ climates. It’s also difficult to completely evacuate a package, especially if the package is big and bulky or oddly shaped. Intercept’s ability to preferentially react with and neutralize corrosive gases solves those issues.

Are desiccants needed when utilizing the Intercept packaging materials?

Yes and no. If there aren’t large voids in the package, then the Intercept will react with the corrosive gases within the package and eliminate the potential danger without desiccating. However, if there are large voids that don’t allow the Intercept material to be close to some areas, then it would be best to utilize desiccants; making sure that the desiccants aren’t directly touching metals.

Is there a limit to the item size that Intercept can protect?

In a word, no. For larger applications, Intercept can be made into shrink film or laminated onto very durable flexible materials. Our contractors have made covers for helicopters, planes, tanks, motor vehicles, buildings, even bridges! With our track record, we’re quite confident that we can solve any situation.

Do we need to heat seal and vacuum Intercept barrier products?

You can heat seal Intercept products if you wish. In fact, the Intercept polyethylene’s films heat seal extremely well. But it’s not necessary, as long as you don’t allow a continual flow of atmosphere into the package. Folding over the ends, openings and secure tape-downs are an acceptable closure with the Intercept Technology. In reusable situations or for convenience, zippers, Velcro strips and other closure means are also acceptable. Please keep in mind when products absolutely need a vacuum and seal, you should consider using our SIF bag, which is ideally suited for packaging more sensitive products.

Will Intercept products react with our materials?

Static Intercept has been thoroughly tested by NASA, and has been proven to meet their stringent outgassing specification requirements. Static Intercept has been tested not to particle shed, making it an acceptable material in a Class 10 cleanroom. Moreover, Static Intercept has been tested in parts per billion measurements for ionic contamination.

(For anyone in the military, the U.S. Army compatibility testing program wouldn’t allow exposure of any Intercept Technology products to lead azide detonators. However, Intercept did prove to be compatible with all the energetic materials that were tested.)

Do the Intercept products meet military specifications?

Static Intercept Foil meets the specification requirements for MIL-PRF-81705D Type 1, Class 1 and MIL-PRF-131J. Static Intercept has been tested by the U.S. Army to meet the criteria established for the MIL-PRF-131J. Except for not being transparent, Static Intercept and RIBS meet all the other criteria for the MIL-PRF-81705D Type 2, Class 1.