date code of the ICs

Hello Michal,

Date code's are being given to a IC's for all kinds of reasons, 1 is for example if a specific batch has a faulthy production they can be traced back at the distributors or customers. but also the other way around.

Or if specific IC's have new specs. (example raw materials). some applications are having dificulties if manufactures using new or better materials.

For example look at the ROHS introduction. lots of problems using new matarials.

Try to see it as a tracing nr and not as an experation date.

Every IC has a date code and a batch code. (almost the same principle)

More or less.

Walter Schneider

Hi Walter

every this reason I understand, but my question is about HOW OLD CAN BE THE IC FOR SAFETY USE, I mean solderability, oxidation of the leads, when we are talking about MSL component there is defined standart how to handle the moisture sensitive devices.

I did not wind general norm or rules hot to handle the ICs according date code of the production.

Do you know something about this???

BR

Michal

Hi Michal,

Sorry then i have misread your question.

Normaly there are no experation date's so it should be save to use them after a while.

However what is important is how they have been stored, moisture, heat etc this is more important than the age of the IC.

Here is some info i found on wikipedia about MSL levels.

Moisture Sensitivity Level relates to the packaging and handling precautions for some semiconductors. The MSL is an electronic standard for the time period in which a moisture sensitive device can be exposed to ambient room conditions (approximately 30°C/60%RH).

Increasingly, semiconductors have been manufactured in smaller sizes. Components such as thin fine-pitch devices and ball grid arrays could be damaged during SMT reflow when moisture trapped inside the component expands.

The expansion of trapped moisture can result in internal separation (delamination) of the plastic from the die or lead-frame, wire bond damage, die damage, and internal cracks. Most of this damage is not visible on the component surface. In extreme cases, cracks will extend to the component surface. In the most severe cases, the component will bulge and pop. This is known as the "popcorn" effect.

IPC (Association Connecting Electronic Industries) created and released IPC-M-109, Moisture-sensitive Component Standards and Guideline Manual.

Moisture sensitive devices are packaged in a moisture barrier antistatic bag with a desiccant and a moisture indicator card which is vacuum sealed.

IPC-M-109 includes seven documents. According to IPC/JEDEC's J-STD-20: Moisture/Reflow Sensitivity Classification for Plastic Integrated Circuit (IC) SMDs, there are eight levels of moisture sensitivity. Components must be mounted and reflowed within the allowable period of time (floor life out of the bag).

• 'MSL 6 - Mandatory Bake before use
• MSL 5A - 24 hours
• MSL 5 - 48 hours
• MSL 4 - 72 hours
• MSL 3 - 168 hours
• MSL 2A - 4 weeks
• MSL 2 - 1 year
• MSL 1 - Unlimited

Hello Walter

I think I make a misandestanding with my last repsonse because I wrote long sentence where were combine what I understand and what i wand to know.

MSL I undestand perfect and I know the norm for it.

What I want to know is about data code for standart ICs, how old the standart ICs can be for safe used.

BR

Michal

Hi Michal,

Like i have mentioned before.

There is no experation date so it should be save to use them after a while.

However what is important is how they have been stored, moisture environment,heat etc this is more important than the age of the IC.

If not stored well the IC could get cracks internal or even on the outside.

If you have or going to use old IC just make sure they have been stored on the propper way.

The datecode is like i mentioned to retrieve all production data

Hi Walter

As I understand you well , according your experience is safe ti use component(standart IC) what was made 10 years ago and was stored by proper way.

I cannot agree with you, how about the corrosion of the leads and solderability of the IC???

That is the reason why I'm looking for some existing standart where this case should be described

Br

Michal

Hi Michal,

Yes this i true, i havent thought of this.

It could however mean that the parts have been keeped in a room with to much moisture in the air.

or where it is to cold.

The corrosion on the leads are more reliable if they are gold plated.

BR

Walter

Hi Walter

As I see we not we know what we are talking, do you know somebody who can help me with identify the time line from which is more risk to use component with "old datacode"???

BR

Michal

Dear Michal

Walter is absolutely right in his answer.

It all depends on how components have been stored.

There is no expiration date for components except electrolytic capacitors.

ICs or transistors can be packed in a protective environment.

Some companies or military may have rules for this but there

is no general industry standard.

Hi Andre

You are right with electrolyte in this case there should be expiration during 2-3 years depends on drying the electrolyte inside.

When you are talking about protective enviroment, we did this pasking in my previous job( Power-one), but it  was for the obsolete components used in military space and was not possible to order the ICs with newest date code.

You mentioned transistor is special enviroment, but I'm talking about standart ICs packing T&R not special enviroment and bought from the spot marked from the brookers with DC older that 2006.

What do you think about it???

Are there any risk with DC 2006 and older when the component is bought from spot market.

Waiting for your response or response from other expert in this comunity

BR

Michal