Yes,you're right here,AUS pbuttports are evidently paper. That may be why they have a short "life".
I note that pbuttports can have "detachable" pages for countries like Israel to allow travellers to visit countries lile Arab countries that forbid visitors that travelled from Israel.It's no problem to attach a plastic page to a PP.
No,it's not ESD *DOES* leave marks.
some plastics like Kapton can insulate far higher voltages.And the RFID chip itself may be coated with a dielectric,or there may be a layer of insulating plastic in the page containing the chip.(or both) Even paper could aid in protecting the chip from ESD. If the chip were that "vulnerable",they would fail quite often from ESD,as people wear all sorts of ESD-generating clothes,and the PP does get handled a lot.So,any ESD that does damage a PP would have to be substantial,and leave tracks,and generate scrutiny.
It depends on the sort of damage,and what any hidden telltales indicate.
Untrue.I said "engineered"(designed) to indicate tampering.
OR they may simply want to detect document fraud or tampering.
Maybe not in worldwide trade.
Because it's the best currency. B-)
No.It might be an indicator that the holder wants the customs people to look only at the printed data.
And a failed chip would be an indicator of possible INauthenticity.
ICAO "recommended";means squat. Countries are going to follow their own security policies and recommendations. Looking more closely at inoperative RFID pbuttports makes sense.
-- Jim Yanik jyanik at kua.net
