Lifespan of a Circuit Board
The lifespan of a Circuit board is impacted by a number of factors, including the materials and components that are used to build it, its environmental conditions, assembly time and storage conditions. Understanding what can affect a PCB’s longevity and taking proactive steps to improve the quality of assembly, handling and storage can help you extend the life of your printed circuit boards and avoid the need for costly repairs and replacements.
Printed circuit boards are a common part of many electronic devices, from smartphones to military-grade equipment. Regardless of the application, you can expect your circuit boards to endure extreme wear-and-tear when subjected to environmental factors such as fluctuating temperatures, humidity, salt water, and excessive moisture. While modern transistors are exceptionally durable and unlikely to “burn out”, the underlying metal conductors on your circuit board may be subjected to electromigration over time, which can result in loosening or even breaking connections within the board.
While the number one reason your circuit board need repair is due to aging components, there are still several proactive steps that can be taken to increase their durability and reduce the need for frequent repairs. Having an experienced contract manufacturer work with you to ensure that your circuit boards are made from the highest quality materials and fabricated according to strict specifications can make a major difference in their lifespan and quality.
What is the Lifespan of a Circuit Board?
PCBs should be assembled as soon as possible after packaging. Long-term storage of packaged PCBs can cause the materials to degrade, resulting in a shorter shelf life. For optimal performance, it is important to store your PCBs in a temperature-controlled environment, with a humidity level of 40-60%. You can also use desiccant bags and humidity cards to keep your PCBs in an ideal storage condition.
The time between your PCBs being copper plated and processed through immersion tin can play a large role in their shelf life. The date code on your PCB will tell you what week it was processed, however the actual shelf life is measured by when the board needs to be soldered, which can happen up to a month later.
If your PCBs aren’t baked or soldered immediately after etching and reflowing, you run the risk of having them absorb moisture that will weaken the laminate material and lead to early failure. For this reason, it is recommended that you use a professional printed circuit board assembly company to get your PCBs fabricated and shipped as quickly as possible.
If you’re interested in working with an experienced printed circuit board manufacturer for your next project, contact us today. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about our services and can help you create a high-quality, long-lasting product that will serve your customers well. We offer custom PCB fabrication and quick turnaround times, so you can get your products to market faster than ever. Let us take care of all your PCB assembly needs, so you can focus on what matters most – your business.