[clug] How to physically label SD-Cards? Any Professional Grade products?

[Steve Jenkin]

Rod,

Thanks very much for your real world experiences.

Fairchild Semiconductors once shipped Epoxy encapsulated / dipped transistors in the mid-1960’s.
Their competitors called them “Flip-Tops” & salesmen were adept at popping off the top of the epoxy, not inspiring to most manufacturers.

At least in 1993, a specialist Epoxy Resin was used to encapsulate “computer chips” such as DRAM [there was a shortage because of the fire].
Plastic Chip Encapsulation equipment is still sold, so 

I was unable to find any Material Safety Data Sheets for Memory Cards, so no hints on the plastic. I’d expect it to be a thermoplastic not a 2-part epoxy.

The typical Data Sheets lists two temps: 
	can’t exceed 85°C, which is below temps DRAM can reach in servers.

	Operating	-13°F to 185°F (-25°C to 85°C)
	Storage		-40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C)

Anybody got links?

sj

==============

<https://www.imua.org/Files/reports/Underwriting%20Semiconductor%20Manufacturing%20Exposures.html>

	A notable loss did occur in Japan in 1993 when a fire and explosion destroyed a
		 Sumitomo Chemical plant that at the time supplied 65% of the world's epoxy resin used in manufacturing semiconductor housings and packaging.

<https://www.azom.com/equipment-details.aspx?EquipID=6486>

	Plastic Chip Encapsulation is a molding process that involves the capsulation of chips with Epoxy Molding Compound (EMC),
	which prevents the occurrence of physical damage or corrosion.

==============

> On 29 Oct 2021, at 16:32, Rodney Peters <rodneyp at iinet.net.au> wrote:
> 
> Not professional grade solutions, but I have used the following:
> 
> 1    for either size card use a fine-tipped "worksite marker" pen, available from hardware shops and write on the plastic label.  Only sufficient space for a sequential number on the uSD cards.  The pens write a very durable, yet not indelible, mark although generally available only in Henry Ford's colour scheme
> 
> 2    round self-adhesive paper dots are available from stationers and fit the reverse of full size cards.  These are not too thick to interfere with the card reader and are moderately durable.  The rounded edges minimise snagging.
> 
> 3    uSD cards require a thinner label.  I've used small pieces of packaging tape.  Its' also possible to purchase donut shaped thin plastic re-inforcing rings for use on paper sheets that are being filed in ring-binders
> 
> FWIW, I gather that memory chips are generally encapsulated in epoxy resin.  Epoxy paint, from a hardware shop, ought to adhere well and not adversely affect the base resin.  Would be essential to first test on a dead card.
> 
> Rod

--
Steve Jenkin, IT Systems and Design 
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PO Box 38, Kippax ACT 2615, AUSTRALIA

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