Samtec EHT-108-01-L-D Connector Date Code

[jimmykk]

Hi
I recently got a message from our PCB Manufacturer that for the Samtec EHT-108-01-L-D Connector:
<<they got notified that these connectors have an older date code than 18 months.

The date code on these are 2034.

Is this acceptable?>>

What does date code mean? And how does it affect these connectors?

 

[dick_freebird]

Date codes are often "year, last-2" followed by "week, 1-52". So in
this example, late August of 2020. Coming up on 3 years in storage.

So a question (if not "the" question of adherence to spec conditions)
might be the conditions of storage. Like, factory-bagged in dry nitrogen
or vacuum is not going to "consume" storage life (by corrosion processes)
the same as an open waffle pack in a desk drawer.

Now you could ask yourself (or better yet, someone who knows) whether
18 months is the supplier's or the aassembler's "rule", whether your PO
to them references any such rule or it's being thrown at you without any
such call-out, whether there is any actual material quality concern (IQC
says what?) or whether they just want to get paid for shopping some more.

 

[FvM]

The parts have MSL 1, unlimited floor lifetime. Unless massive corrosion of tinned leads is observed, I won't expect processing issues. Gold plated contacts should have no problems anyway.