PCB

PCB = printed circuit board, good for 10-30 years?

PCB = polychlorinated biphenyl, a persistent pollutant bad for >30 years.

a printed board circuit

thanks

A manufacturer of quick turn prototypes and small-volume PCB in China. Skype:kellyck0606

leading manufacturer of quick turn prototypes and small-volume PCB in China. Skype:kellyck0606

I have a Motorola transistor radio manufactured in 1961. It has a printed circuit board in it. That makes 51 years. I'd say there's no reason a PCB could not last 100 years.

Well said Lyn. I have an amplifier that is about 45 years old. The PCB is not a problem, but I must replace some of the capacitors when I get a chance. People think that 'Solid State' doesn't wear out, but capacitors certainly do. Best to consider the components, not the PCB.

The board should last but the design or components might be outdated sooner.

Solder joints, connectors and electrolytic capacitors are liable to ageing probs. A good quality glass fibre boards should last for 50plus years. some cheapo resin bonded paper pcbs my delaminate with moisture ingress I suspect.
Del

This depends on the design suitability for actual conditions of use, quality of materials used, quality of manufacture process used for construction, adherence of end user to parameters of design....You also have to consider shelf life as opposed or added to, service life...

It might depend on whether lead free solder was used.

As Solar Eagle says...it depends on the design parameters. If it's designed for "rough use" or MIL Spec it will probably last longer than one designed for a product that's expected to be renewed/replaced in a year or so...like a cell phone.

You do not state the material or environment. Without that information, no meaningful answer can be given. You need to study a bit.

Agree in general with many of the replies. The environmental conditions (humidity, thermal stress, dust/dirt amount and composition), board materials (not only the substrate but solder masks), soldering/cleaning processes, post treatments (like conformal coatings) all come into play for this answer. Further, the electrical conditions of use are very important parts of the answer to this question. For example, many high voltage applications can cause arcing, generate ozone, etc. and break down the board materials, especially in conjunction with the aforementioned dust and humidity coming into play.

Hugh

Environment is an issue. old pcba's that don't have a protective coating , so humid and salty sea air could have an effect on the board/components.