Just like the milk that goes into your morning coffee, electronic components have a shelf life.

Lifespan of Electronic Components Parts Explained

Electronic component parts are the building blocks of all modern devices. From smartphones to industrial machines, every product relies on a wide range of electronic components, including basic electronic elements and advanced integrated circuits. But how long do these parts actually last? Understanding the lifespan of electronic components can help you plan maintenance, avoid unexpected failures, and save money in the long run.

Thankfully, microchips last far far longer, and several steps can be taken to extend their lifespan.

An electronic device's lifecycle includes manufacturing, distribution, storage, production, usage, and end-of-life. As Component Sense redistributes unused components on the secondary components marketplace, this blog will focus on storage.

For procurement professionals, especially in sectors with long production timelines, knowing how long parts can stay in storage is essential.

“The shelf life is how long components can be stored while remaining usable. This all depends on manufacturing, storage conditions, and the materials used during the manufacturing process,” explains Warehouse Team Leader, Steven Waterson.

What Determines the Lifespan of Electronic Components?

Several key factors affect how long electronic components, especially active components like transistors and integrated circuits, will operate reliably:

• Operating temperature: Excessive heat is one of the most common causes of premature component failure. Every 10°C rise above recommended levels can cut a component’s lifespan in half.

• Humidity and moisture: Moisture can lead to corrosion, short circuits, and the breakdown of protective coatings.

• Voltage stress: Operating components beyond their rated voltages can cause instant or gradual damage.

• Mechanical stress: Vibration and repeated bending of circuit boards can cause solder joint cracks and lead failures.

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD): Static electricity can destroy sensitive basic electronic components like MOSFETs during handling.

Passive vs. Active Electronic Components

Electronic components are often categorised as passive or active. Passive components, like resistors and capacitors, don’t require external power to operate. They typically last longer than active components because they have fewer moving charges and less internal heat. Active components, such as transistors and integrated circuits, rely on external power and contain complex semiconductor junctions, which can wear out over time.

For instance, ceramic capacitors may last several decades if kept in optimal conditions, while electrolytic capacitors are often the first parts to fail in power supplies due to the gradual drying out of their electrolyte.

How Long Does a Component Last

Integrated circuits, which are essential active components in modern devices, have varying lifespans depending on their design and environment. Under normal operating conditions, many integrated circuits can function reliably for 20-30 years. However, chips exposed to excessive heat, power surges, or high humidity may fail much sooner.

Common signs of failing active components include system crashes, unexpected reboots, and unusual heat generation.

Storing electronic component parts in warehouses with fluctuating temperatures and high humidity can significantly shorten their usable life. This is especially true for moisture-sensitive components packaged in plastic IC packages. Once these devices absorb too much moisture, they can crack during soldering—a phenomenon called “popcorning.”

Manufacturers often assign an MSL rating to indicate how long a component can be exposed to ambient air before requiring baking or dry storage.

Materials play a key role in how long a component lasts. For example, pre-RoHS standards parts containing lead typically last longer than newer lead-free components. Temperature and humidity also affect deterioration, hence the need for MSL (moisture sensitivity level) packaging to prevent moisture damage and environmental damage.

“Every component is graded by the original manufacturer when it comes to MSL. Some parts are not as prone to absorbing moisture as others,” says Steven Waterson.

Engineers often use Arrhenius acceleration models to estimate the lifespan of electronic components. By performing accelerated life tests at elevated temperatures, it’s possible to predict how long a component will last under normal conditions. For example, if an integrated circuit survives 1,000 hours at 125°C, it might last 10 years at 55°C.

This modelling technique helps designers choose components suitable for mission-critical applications, like aerospace and medical devices, where failure is not an option.

What Do Component Date Codes Mean?

Put simply, a date code indicates when a component was manufactured, typically using four digits: the first two for the year, and the last two for the week. The format may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Original component manufacturers often provide conservative shelf-life estimates, assuming worst-case storage conditions. With proper storage, parts can far outlast the often cautious estimates, reducing unnecessary electronic waste (e-waste). However, it is important to note that, in some industries, such as aerospace or military, adhering to shelf-life specifications from original manufacturers is a strict requirement.

“A date code is just a guideline. We have some stock in our Component Sense warehouse that is over 20 years old and has been tested to still be in good condition. These legacy parts are kept for repairing industrial machinery,” explains Steven.

Legacy stock is one of the secondary market's many sustainable and financial benefits. Read our full guide that explores why Component Sense values legacy stock and our advice for repurchasing.

How to Extend the Life of Electronic Components Parts

At Component Sense, our mission is to lead electronic manufacturers toward zero waste. We understand what it takes to extend the lifespan of components and implement strict measures to keep our stock in pristine condition for our buyers. Practices we implement to prolong the shelf life of components include:

• Our warehouse is temperature-controlled to prevent corrosion and degradation

• We use anti-static measures, including grounding equipment, to prevent damage from static electricity

• Our humidity-controlled environment prevents moisture build-up, and we use MSL bags for extra protection when needed

“When parts are heated up, and they contain moisture, they can literally pop, which is called 'popcorning',” says Steven.

Our inventory also undergoes a rigorous quality inspection process as a last line of defence to ensure the quality of everything we sell.

Repair vs. Replacement of Electronic Components Parts

When a device fails, it’s often cheaper and faster to replace individual electronic components rather than discard the entire system. However, identifying faulty parts requires knowledge of both basic electronic circuits and specialised testing equipment. Skilled technicians use multimeters, oscilloscopes, and thermal cameras to pinpoint the failing component.

By replacing only the defective parts, businesses can extend the overall lifespan of equipment and reduce electronic waste—an essential step toward sustainability in the electronics industry.

Recycling Unusable Components

No matter how well components are cared for, they will eventually reach the end of their lifecycle due to factors like oxidation or corrosion. Oxidisation is generally when metals lose electrons and react with oxygen.

At Component Sense, we encourage manufacturers to redistribute surplus inventory early, ensuring parts are put to use well before becoming unusable. When disposal is unavoidable, recycling is also an option to help recover valuable elements and keep them in a circular supply chain.

While technology is always advancing, current e-waste recycling methods have both sustainability merits and challenges. Less than a quarter of e-waste in 2022 was documented as having been properly collected and recycled. Common practices include:

• Pyrometallurgical recycling: Heating e-waste to high temperatures

• Bioleaching: Using microorganisms to break down e-waste

• Hydrometallurgical recycling: Applying chemicals to dissolve e-waste

Why Quality and Traceability Matter

Understanding the lifespan of electronic component parts is crucial for building reliable devices and maintaining systems cost-effectively. Factors such as temperature, moisture, mechanical stress, and component quality all play a role in determining how long parts will function reliably.

Using authentic, high-quality electronic component parts is vital to ensuring long-term reliability. Counterfeit or substandard components may have compromised materials, incorrect specifications, or hidden defects that cause premature failure. Always buy from trusted suppliers with documented traceability to the original manufacturer.

At Component Sense, we guarantee 100% counterfeit-free, fully traceable electronic components, giving you peace of mind for every project.

Purchasing from an electronic parts supplier like Component Sense, which carefully maintains inventory, allows procurement professionals to access and buy hard-to-find electronic components, save on their BOM, and reduce e-waste. Explore our range of unused components online today.