Clariant’s new Humitector Type 2 Non-Reversible Humidity Indicator Cards contain a patent-pending non-reversible 60% humidity spot indicator which enables them to indicate whether dry packed surface mount devices (SMDs) have been exposed to high levels of moisture at any point during shipment or storage. This unique innovation offers a major step forward in preventing moisture-compromised surface mounts from entering production.

Until now, users of moisture sensitive, reflowable surface mount devices have had little choice in the humidity indicator cards required for use in protective packages governed by the J-STD-033 standard. Typical Type 1 cards offer only reversible indicators that reflect current (dry or humid) conditions at the precise time of checking.

The new Humitector Type 2 Non-Reversible Humidity Indicator cards provide verifiable color change accuracy and meet or exceed applicable European Chemical Bureau regulations. They have been approved for use by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) in the latest revisions to IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033 (J-STD-033D).

According to section 3.3.2.3 of J-STD-033D (April 2018), humidity indicator cards cannot be re-used in dry packing if the 60% spot indicates it has surpassed the threshold. The Humitector Type 2 non-reversible 60% indicator will show clearly if this threshold has been exceeded as the permanent colored spot will have migrated beyond its black circle.