Is it just me or do surface mount resistors stink? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrcrud5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 05:02:00 am
content: Ok so here's the deal...I got a hold of a bunch of cases of 1206 surface mount resistors. They look like the previous owner took a bunch of them out of reels and sorted them into these cases. Here's the thing though... They smell bad. Every time I go to use them I open the lid to the case and I always get a wiff of the resistors and it smells terrible. Lucky the smell is restricted to the containers only. Anyways my question has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this just what a bunch of resistors fresh off the reel smell like? I know where they came from and Im 90% sure that it didn't stink there. If anyone out there has a reel of surface mount resistors and just wants to empty all of them into a cup and take a wiff for me and let me know if it stinks or not, you would help me better understand my smelly resistors. Picture of said smelly resistors attached.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 05:13:59 am
content: More likely it's the plastic boxes degrading.Empty one, wash and dry it and place it in a clean plastic ziplock bag for a day or so.That'll give you answers.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 05:24:40 am
content: Just smelled my bulk resistors. They don't smell at all.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 05:47:55 am
content: Some plastics are known for outgassing for a long time.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 06:18:43 am
content: Quote from: tautech on February 10, 2018, 05:13:59 amAlso, describing the smell (other than "horrible") would help in identifying its origin --- does it smell sour/acrid, fetid, "chemical", burnt, or something else?

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 02:38:54 pm
content: It's the boxes, not the resistors.Reels with paper tape carrier can develop a musty odor, or absorb odor from the environment. I can tell if I buy stuff off ebay if the seller is a smoker.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 03:09:27 pm
content: Mine have zero smell, being stored in supposed food grade zip lock bags in paper boxes.

author: ChuckDarwin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 05:04:12 pm
content: I've had poorly stored (probably damp) parts arrive in molded acetate containers had had a sharp organic smell, and of course parts from a supplier that smoked in the parts room. In both cases, cleaned down storage surfaces and parts as best and placed strips or crumpled up black and white newspaper in the containers for three or four weeks, changing weekly, to eliminate odors in the container and parts. I don't know if it is the ink or the paper, but it works well. I've never experienced a bad smelling SMD part.

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 05:26:48 pm
content: Quote from: mrcrud5 on February 10, 2018, 05:02:00 amIts you, brush your teeth and gurgle your throath !

author: gibbled
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2018, 11:10:36 pm
content: Are those boxes made of the same plastic as xcelite screwdriver handles? Smell horrible after a while.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 09:22:23 pm
content: Component Stink Hack:Fold some newspaper or tissue paper and put it in the containers with the surface mount resistors,they will absorb and tone down the smellIt's easy enough to replace the newspaper or tissue paper when they get smelly tooor wrap the newspaper around the resistors and put in container if the smell is off the scale

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 09:44:36 pm
content: I've never noticed any smell from such parts.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 10:07:51 pm
content: Quote from: gibbled on February 10, 2018, 11:10:36 pmThey smell horrible forever.

author: lowimpedance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 10:53:44 pm
content: Quote from: Bassman59 on February 11, 2018, 10:07:51 pm..... They certainly do!.Just checked a 30 year old handle and... yeah just a fresh as the day I bought it.Anddo they put in it, must be so you can tell you have a genuine Xcelite !.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 11:54:13 pm
content: The Xcelite smell ishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyric_acid

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2018, 10:57:48 am
content: Can you get a chroming buzzfrom these if placed in a plastic bag?

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 04:24:13 am
content: Quote from: amyk on February 11, 2018, 11:54:13 pm“Butyric acid is present in, and is the main distinctive smell of, human vomit.” That says it all, really.