-NOT SET-

It’s more than just ESD. Product preservation applies to the entire supply chain.

Electronic components are often thought of as semi-indestructible. Sure, we all think about ESD and moisture sensitivity in active devices, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. There are several factors that can contribute to infant mortality issues in electronic components. The sourcing, handling, storage, age and even external free-market economy factors can tip the scale on the longevity of your products.

ESD protection seems to be the most well known and understood of the material preservation issues. A good ESD control program is pretty easy to set up and maintain. Moisture sensitivity is also fairly well known, if not fully understood, by most people involved in the supply stream. A good management program for moisture-sensitive items requires a little more discipline than ESD control measures, but there are a variety of resources available.

Less straightforward are issues of shelf life and storage environment. The type of plastic, paper or other packaging materials is important. Plastic bags that are good for food products are generally less than ideal for the tinned surfaces of component leads. Historic preservationists know that there is a level of acidity in most plastic, paper, cardboard, wood and foam products commonly used for packaging. This acidity is bad news for many of the components we use.

You should also be mindful of contaminants throughout the supply chain. Even down to what was on your hands when you counted out those 100 pieces needed for an upcoming build. How will that affect the product that went back on the shelf?

Who is involved in the supply chain for your materials is also important. How well do you know your sources? Are they well versed in product preservation requirements? If your parts source is a franchised distribution partner of the manufacturer, your chances that they are up on these issues is pretty good. If it’s a company that has a strong Web presence and can always “find” what you need, you need to know who you’re dealing with.

The bottom line: there is a lot more to product preservation in the supply chain than many people are aware of. Hopefully, some of this information has started you thinking about just how important product preservation is and what you can do to ensure it in your own supply chain.