Our guide to semiconductor components shelf lives

When it comes to the shelf life of semiconductor components, there are a number of ways to determine whether or not the part is still useful and able to function. Key to this is also how these component parts are stored and whether this is done in a way that will preserve, and prolong, shelf life. This is what you need to know with respect to semiconductor component shelf lives.

It’s not just about age

Date codes have traditionally been the way that original component manufacturers determine semiconductor component shelf lifes, using this as a measure of whether the component is still able to perform to its original specification. However, in 2023, this is not a reliable – or accepted – yardstick when it comes to quality and reliability. That’s because most, if not all, components can actually be employed far beyond the use date that has been applied to the components by the manufacturer. Many manufacturers and distributors tend to store components for just a few years before getting rid of them. But the reality is that, in the right conditions, these components can be stored for a lot longer than that.

Storage to bridge supply chain disruption

It’s possible to store components for extended periods of time – beyond the date codes that appear on parts. And there are many benefits to doing this, including providing stock during periods of supply chain disruption, helping to improve the resilience of any supply chain. Alongside the right storage conditions there are ways to determine the reliability and quality of components that have been stored for longer – and these can be vital for ensuring confidence in the parts that are being used. One key test is solderability.

How does solderability testing work?

It is used to determine the quality of older semiconductor components in real-world applications. Analysis on solderability is carried out by using an industry-standard board mount with solder paste and reflow manufacturing process. In tests like this, solderability has established that older semiconductor components still have the right standard of quality and reliability to be functional. This is important, not just to ensure that no component parts are wasted, but also to help provide more options in times of scarcity too.

Semiconductor component shelf lifes are not simply determined by the date codes that they have. There are other ways – such as solderability testing – that can be used to establish whether older components still deliver in quality and reliability terms.