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Philips210 · 11th Jan 2018, 6:00 pm

Hi.

It's probably a basic question but do quartz crystals deteriorate over time even if not used? I appreciate that they tend to resonate at a lower frequency if used over some time which I take to be due to mechanical wear through usage. I have had to replace a couple in some digital clocks where the time was running slow.
So if I have a brand new crystal that's kept in it's packaging for say 10 years, then will it perform as if it was a brand new crystal or is some deterioration to be expected?

Regards
Symon.

11th Jan 2018, 6:00 pm	#1
Philips210 Nonode Join Date: May 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 2,580	Quartz crystal accuracy over time Hi. It's probably a basic question but do quartz crystals deteriorate over time even if not used? I appreciate that they tend to resonate at a lower frequency if used over some time which I take to be due to mechanical wear through usage. I have had to replace a couple in some digital clocks where the time was running slow. So if I have a brand new crystal that's kept in it's packaging for say 10 years, then will it perform as if it was a brand new crystal or is some deterioration to be expected? Regards Symon.