The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning

Ed Nisley's Blog: Shop notes, electronics, firmware, machinery, 3D printing, laser cuttery, and curiosities. Contents: 100% human thinking, 0% AI slop.

Transistor Leads vs. Antistatic Foam

Why you shouldn’t use antistatic foam for long-term storage:

Anti-static foam - decades of corrosion
Anti-static foam – decades of corrosion

The lump emerged from Mad Phil’s parts stash, now residing under a bench at Squidwrench. The 952 date code on the HEP802 JFET suggests he tucked it in around 1980; you’re looking at nigh onto four decades of corrosion.

Memo to Self: use it or lose it!

Comments

2 responses to “Transistor Leads vs. Antistatic Foam”

  1. RCPete Avatar
    RCPete

    I hate 3 digit date codes. When you have to know context to get the decade right…

    1. Ed Avatar
      Ed

      Like having a tiny Y2K every ten years!

      They’re obviously far beyond their best-used-by date, no matter when it might have been, so we can’t quibble about the details. [grin]