Is it just me or do surface mount resistors stink?

[mrcrud5]

Ok so here's the deal...I got a hold of a bunch of cases of 1206 surface mount resistors. They  look like the previous owner took a bunch of them out of reels and sorted them into these cases. Here's the thing though... They smell bad. Every time I go to use them I open the lid to the case and I always get a wiff of the resistors and it smells terrible. Lucky the smell is restricted to the containers only. Anyways my question has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this just what a bunch of resistors fresh off the reel smell like? I know where they came from and Im 90% sure that it didn't stink there.  If anyone out there has a reel of surface mount resistors and just wants to empty all of them into a cup and take a wiff  for me and let me know if it stinks or not, you would help me better understand my smelly resistors. Picture of said smelly resistors  attached.

[tautech]

More likely it's the plastic boxes degrading.

Empty one, wash and dry it and place it in a clean plastic ziplock bag for a day or so.
That'll give you answers.

[ataradov]

Just smelled my bulk resistors. They don't smell at all.

[NiHaoMike]

Some plastics are known for outgassing for a long time.

[amyk]

More likely it's the plastic boxes degrading.

Empty one, wash and dry it and place it in a clean plastic ziplock bag for a day or so.
That'll give you answers.

Also, describing the smell (other than "horrible") would help in identifying its origin --- does it smell sour/acrid, fetid, "chemical", burnt, or something else?

[donotdespisethesnake]

It's the boxes, not the resistors.

Reels with paper tape carrier can develop a musty odor, or absorb odor from the environment. I can tell if I buy stuff off ebay if the seller is a smoker.

[technix]

Mine have zero smell, being stored in supposed food grade zip lock bags in paper boxes.

[ChuckDarwin]

I've had poorly stored (probably damp) parts arrive in molded acetate containers had had a sharp organic smell, and of course parts from a supplier that smoked in the parts room  .  In both cases, cleaned down storage surfaces and parts as best and placed strips or crumpled up black and white newspaper in the containers for three or four weeks, changing weekly, to eliminate odors in the container and parts.  I don't know if it is the ink or the paper, but it works well. I've never experienced a bad smelling SMD part.

[MT]

Ok so here's the deal...I got a hold of a bunch of cases of 1206 surface mount resistors. They  look like the previous owner took a bunch of them out of reels and sorted them into these cases. Here's the thing though... They smell bad. Every time I go to use them I open the lid to the case and I always get a wiff of the resistors and it smells terrible. Lucky the smell is restricted to the containers only. Anyways my question has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Is this just what a bunch of resistors fresh off the reel smell like? I know where they came from and Im 90% sure that it didn't stink there.  If anyone out there has a reel of surface mount resistors and just wants to empty all of them into a cup and take a wiff  for me and let me know if it stinks or not, you would help me better understand my smelly resistors. Picture of said smelly resistors  attached.

Its you, brush your teeth and gurgle your throath !

[gibbled]

Are those boxes made of the same plastic as xcelite screwdriver handles?  Smell horrible after a while.

[Electro Detective]

Component Stink Hack:    

Fold some newspaper or tissue paper and put it in the containers with the surface mount resistors,
they will absorb and tone down the smell
It's easy enough to replace the newspaper or tissue paper when they get smelly too

or wrap the newspaper around the resistors and put in container if the smell is off the scale   

[tom66]

I've never noticed any smell from such parts.

[Bassman59]

Are those boxes made of the same plastic as xcelite screwdriver handles?  Smell horrible after a while.

They smell horrible forever.

[lowimpedance]

Are those boxes made of the same plastic as xcelite screwdriver handles?  Smell horrible after a while.

They smell horrible forever.

  ..... They certainly do!.
Just checked a 30 year old handle and... yeah just a fresh as the day I bought it  .

And  do they put in it  , must be so you can tell you have a genuine Xcelite !.

[amyk]

The Xcelite smell is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyric_acid

[Electro Detective]

Can you get a chroming buzz     from these if placed in a plastic bag? 

 

[Bassman59]

The Xcelite smell is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butyric_acid

“Butyric acid is present in, and is the main distinctive smell of, human vomit.” That says it all, really.