What is the shelf life of PCBs?Extending the Lifespan of PCBs.
The PCB industry is one of the most important areas for a country’s economic growth and maintenance.However, in the past ,no one cared about the shelf life of PCBs.There are many reasons for this.
Perhaps due to a lack of knowledge and resources,manufactures failed to understand the shelf life of PCBs and failed to consider its importance in PCB improvement.
PCB components come together to develop efficient industrial PCBs with an optimal shelf life.In this article,we will delve into the role of pcb shelf life for both products and users.Let’s get started!
Do PCBs have a shelf life?
If you are a PCB buyer,be sure to ask the manufacturer about the shelf life of the PCB.This will give you a clear idea of the shelf life of the PCB and ensure your user experience is valuable for the future.
At this point,it is important to understand that not every PCB has the same shelf life.The shelf life of a PCB depends on the surface finish used.Some surface finish uesd.Some surface finishes have a longer shelf life,while others do not.
PCB Assembly Extends PCB shelf life When manufactures deliver pcbs to their respective customers,an important step is to perform IQC on the PCB assembly.However,in some cases,if there are issues with the PCB assembly,or if there are issues with the PCB assembly,or if the manufacturer delays assembly for some reason ,it’s recommended to secure the PCB in a small package.Vacuum packaging proves convenient for this purpose,as it prevents moisture from penetrating the PCB and casusing it to gradually deterorate.
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Assembly Time Atrer Packaging
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Shelf life of Bare PCBs
You’ve packaged your PCBs,but now what?This is crucial when discussing PCB shelf life.An important consideration after packaging the PCB is its assembly,which must be performed within six months of packaging.A PCB surface finish that matches the PCB shelf life is HASL(Halting-Away Stainless Steel).However,if you use OSP with a silver finish,it will change the shelf life of the PCB,leaving you with only obe month after packaging for PCB assembly.For tin and gold finishes,the assembly time is only two months.
Why is PCB shelf life important?
Now ,since we’re explaining the shelf life of PCBs,we need to understand why it’s important to consider,One major risk in the PCB production process is soldering and the complexity of developing strong solder joints to connect PCB component to the board.
Packaging the PCB during this process also ensures that it will last and remain intact for at least two years.However,this still depends on the type of PCB surface finish,your pcb will have a shelf life of two years,while for other products like OSP,the shelf life can be up to six months.
In addition,most solders and adhesives used in PCB production or assembly also have an impact on the overall shelf life of the PCB.
Managing Materials and Components to Extend PCB shelf life
In this section,it’s important to understand the role of the PCB manufacturer in maintaining and adhering to PCB shelf life.This will allow you to evaluate their performance based on PCB production,material sourcing,and PCB component assembly,Reputable PCB component assembly.Reputable PCB manufactures will skillfully document the shelf life of their PCBs
This step is particularly useful for custom PCBs,allowing manufactures to maintain prototypes and designs and provide customers with more insight into PCB shelf life.Speaking of which,we at VSE are experts in handing PCB component arrangement and developing different PCBs with different shelf life requirements based on your needs.Below,you’ll learn how we source industrial-grade PCB components to improve our customers’PCB shelf life.
We rely on first-in,first-out inventory control to avoid inventory complications when needed.Our staff follows component labeling guidelines to avoid mix-ups and mishanding.We strategically stock our inventory to prevent PCB waste.
We ensure that PCB waste is thoroughly handled using less harmful techniques to prevent environmental damage.
Our solder paste is properly and consistently monitored and maintained in separate cold storage.
Extending the Storage Shelf Life of PCBs We must not forget that PCBA storage is a crucial factor in the health of industrial PCBs.Therefore to extend the shelf life of PCBs,we need to avoid improper handling of PCBs in all aspects.Furthermore,protecting them from weather conditions such as excessive humidity can also help in this regard.
Another factor that can prove to be very helpful in this regard is your choice of PCB manufacturer that sources good production materials but lacks the expertise to handle the pcbs shelf life.Therefore ,the quality of the PCB manufacturer is crucial here.
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What affects PCB shelf life?
You must know which factors affect the shelf life of your PCB so you can clearly understand which factors are completely unhealthy for your PCB. You’ll find them below! Let’s go!
Components. Consistently using high-quality components will extend the shelf life of your PCB. Meanwhile, cheap, low-quality PCB components will only shorten the shelf life of your PCB due to continued deterioration. Furthermore, substandard PCB parts are also a cause of widespread PCB failure and poor electronic performance.
Surface Finish. The choice of PCB surface finish also affects its lifespan. For example, HASL PCBs have a longer shelf life compared to OSP and other materials.
Soldering. The type of solder used on the PCB also affects its shelf life, so it’s best to thoroughly research the type of solder used and its relationship to PCB shelf life.
Conformal Coating. It positively impacts the shelf life of your PCB and protects your setup from weather damage, technical complications, and other issues. Relying on a good conformal coating is best to prevent challenges with PCB shelf life. Handling. Problems with handling PCBs can shorten their shelf life, as human sweat, PCB shedding, harmful chemicals, low-quality solder paste, and debris can all damage them. Experts believe that PCB manufacturers need to devise proper handling methods to preserve their shelf life as much as possible.
Transportation conditions. The way PCBs are transported is also crucial. Unmonitored and reckless PCB transportation can damage the structure and may cause PCB components to fall apart during delivery to your customers and clients.
Storage environment. The temperature of the PCB storage room can also affect them; therefore, always store PCBs in an optimal environment to minimize damage.
D The Anger of Using Expired PCBs
- Oxidation
Oxidation issues can ultimately damage the entire PCB structure. It also prevents complete soldering of the PCB, leaving gaps in the process. As a result, components won’t adhere properly to the board, and there’s a risk of them falling off. Experts believe this problem can be easily resolved with effective and viable PCB surface treatments. However, one thing to note here is that these PCB surface finishes have different shelf lives.
Therefore, it’s best to use an appropriate PCB surface finish that ensures a secure connection between components and the board and is able to withstand adverse conditions.
- Moisture Absorption
The main concern with expired PCBs is their interaction with moisture, which can cause electrical failures and short circuits, much like popcorn popping in a pan. Moisture in the PCB can also cause delamination, which is detrimental to the PCB’s proper function. Baking is a good option to prevent this, but it’s still not suitable for all PCB types.
However, if we use a sufficient amount of OSP, this issue can be easily resolved. An important tip here is that if you use OSP, ensure that the reflow process is completed as quickly as possible; otherwise, delaying the reflow process can complicate matters.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that the shelf life of PCBs is a crucial factor in their health and performance. To ensure they perform well in our consumer electronics, we hope to have clarified the shelf life of PCBs in this article. We also discussed some key factors that affect the shelf life of PCBs.
