The Number That Decides Is on the Device Datasheet
Two bands, two behaviours
Antistatic materials sit in a resistance range that bleeds charge away slowly — fast enough to avoid a build-up, slow enough that discharge is not abrupt. Conductive materials sit at a much lower resistance and move charge away almost immediately, which suits situations where a rapid equalisation is wanted and the device can tolerate it.
The selection question is therefore not which is "better" but what the device will accept. A sensitive assembly with a low damage threshold may be better served by a slow bleed than by immediate equalisation; a part being handled in a high-charge environment may need the faster path.
Specifying it so it holds up
Write the resistance band and the test method into the drawing, not just the word "antistatic". State the measurement standard and the electrode geometry, because the same material measured under different methods produces different numbers and an auditor will ask which one applies.
Also specify where the tray is conductive on purpose versus where it is not: a tray with a conductive base and an insulating liner is a documented combination, but only if the drawing says so. The failure that turns up in audits is a tray selected correctly and then fitted with a liner or label that was never evaluated.
FAQ
What is the difference between antistatic and conductive trays?
Antistatic materials bleed charge away slowly; conductive materials sit at much lower resistance and equalise charge almost immediately.
Which tray type should I choose?
It depends on the device damage threshold and the handling environment, not on which material is generally better. Both can be correct.
What must be on the tray drawing?
The resistance band, the test method and electrode geometry, and which surfaces are intended to be conductive.
Can I add a liner to a conductive tray?
Only if the combination has been evaluated. An unevaluated liner or label is a common audit finding even when the tray itself was chosen correctly.
All figures above refer to standard product data sheets; final confirmation is subject to written quotation.