Long-term storage
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Long-term storage of electronic components without degradation risks
Ensure long-term availability and prevent hidden aging mechanisms that compromise reliability, performance, and lifecycle.
50 years
Preservation & Functionality
PREVENT
GO BEYOND
HTV ALTER TECHNOLOGY GmbH brings over 30 years of expertise in electronic components, delivering comprehensive solutions in testing, programming, failure analysis, and long-term storage.
Since joining ALTER TECHNOLOGY (TÜV NORD Group) in 2023, the company has strengthened its position as a trusted partner for high-reliability electronics worldwide.
As part of ALTER Technology’s Product Enhancement division, Long-Term Storage supports OEMs, equipment manufacturers and system integrators that need to preserve existing electronic components for future production, maintenance and lifecycle support. It can form part of a wider obsolescence and supply continuity strategy when critical components must remain available beyond their normal commercial lifecycle.
Why conventional storage is not enough
Most long-term storage strategies rely on nitrogen or dry packaging. But these methods only address part of the problem.
They reduce oxygen and moisture, but leave critical aging mechanisms untouched:
Hidden degradation mechanisms:
- Diffusion processes → intermetallic phase growth (≈1 μm/year in N₂)
- Volatile outgassed compounds → corrosion & material degradation
- Whisker formation & tin pest → risk of short circuits
- Residual oxygen in packaging → incomplete protection
Result:
- Loss of processability
- Reduced reliability
- Unexpected failures years later
Key insight:
It does NOT prevent it.
Electronic components can continue to undergo physical and chemical changes even while they are not in use. These mechanisms and their impact on long-term reliability are explained in more detail in What causes aging in electronic components during storage? and Why nitrogen storage is not enough for electronic components.
Ensure your components are still reliable in 20… 30… 50 years
A different approach to long-term conservation
TAB®PLUS is not storage.
It is controlled by long-term conservation.
A globally unique method that actively suppresses aging mechanisms, instead of just slowing them down.
What makes TAB®PLUS different:
Controlled atmosphere + absorbers
Eliminates harmful gases and contaminants
Diffusion control via temperature management
Almost no intermetallic growth
Multi-layer functional packaging
Blocks and absorbs hazardous substances
Cyclical monitoring & analysis
Continuous validation of component condition
Up to 50 years preservation
Guaranteed availability & lifecycle extension
Results
- Maintain functionality and processability for decades
- Enable strategic obsolescence management
- Secure after-sales and spare parts availability
Long-term preservation can also support component lifecycle and obsolescence strategies when replacement parts become difficult to obtain or when equipment must remain operational for extended periods. In these situations, storage can complement ALTER’s Procurement Engineering services and the wider management of existing EEE components.
TAB®PLUS vs Conventional Storage
Not all storage methods protect what matters
Designed for complex and critical components
Storage requirements vary according to the component or material being preserved. ALTER provides dedicated solutions for the long-term storage of semiconductor wafers and dies, while components that have already remained in storage for extended periods can be reassessed through ALTER’s Relifing service before returning them to use.