The response of portable electronics to transient conditions of temperature and humidity

Jeff Punch, Ronan Grimes, Greg Heaslip, Timo Galkin, Kyösti Väkeväinen, Vesa Kyyhkynen, Erkko Elonen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The design of portable electronic systems for use in hot and humid conditions represents a significant design challenge for packaging engineers. Humidity drives a range of failure mechanisms: the alteration of material properties; hygromechanical stress phenomena; and the acceleration of corrosion and material migration. Moreover, portable electronic products such as mobile phones, CD players and digital cameras can experience rapidly varying conditions of temperature and humidity which, in certain conditions, can cause condensation to form on the internal and external surfaces of the product. Condensation - or even very high relative humidity - is a severe stimulus because it greatly accelerates corrosion and migration mechanisms. This paper considers the response of portable electronics to transient variations of temperature and humidity in order to assess the conditions under which condensation is likely to occur. A first-order coupled hygrothermal model is developed to represent the temperature and humidity response of a typical portable product using simple time constants. Experimental characterisation of a sample product is performed to evaluate the parameters of the model, and it is demonstrated how movement from one environment to another can precipitate condensation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT 2005
Pages871-876
Number of pages6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005
Event2005 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT 2005 - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: 17 Jul 200522 Jul 2005

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference
Volume4

Conference

Conference2005 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, HT 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period17/07/0522/07/05

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The response of portable electronics to transient conditions of temperature and humidity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this