Sciencemadness Discussion Board

New Electronics Smell

Big Boss - 13-3-2016 at 04:13

Does anyone know what solvent(i'm assuming) it is they use to clean new electronics that gives it that fantastic smell?
I can't seem to find anything on the web about it, it seems to be universal to all electronics manufacturers too.

hissingnoise - 13-3-2016 at 05:02

It's Electronel No 4!


morsagh - 13-3-2016 at 05:46

I know that transformer oil has the same smell so maybe this.

j_sum1 - 13-3-2016 at 06:14

You sure you are not smelling volatiles coming from PCBs and the plastic components, cases and packaging?



Ahh nostalgia. Never mind new electronics. Give me some old.
My Dad worked as a telephone technician in the days of mechanical switching equipment. I vividly remember being in the switching room with its racks and racks of equipment and neatly tied wires with the continual clicking all around as calls were connected. Occasionally if you were looking in the right place you would catch something moving. But usually you would just hear noises from random directions.
The place smelled of bakelite dust and the isopropyl alcohol that was used to keep everything clean.

hissingnoise - 13-3-2016 at 06:36

I love the smell of hot bakelite in the morning . . .