Computer Nerd Kev wrote:
Now what I don't understand is why there's no consideration given to
preventing the damage that can be caused by humidity in the first
place.
After having opened several failed HDDs, I've found a recess with a
plastic bubble containing what look to be very small carbon pellets; see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb0NW-Vx5vM. I've done no analysis on
what they are made, but I can't see any purpose for them other than to
absorb water when humidity is high and effuse water when humidity is
low. I suppose consumer-grade HDDs could be sealed provided they could
withstand a pressure change of 2 atmospheres which doesn't sound like
that much pressure.
With helium-filled HDDs, they must be sealed. However, helium is a
limited (non-renewable) natural resource (and the commercial helium
produced under high pressure is expensive), so that's a fad that will
disappear when helium prices begin to skyrocket due to reserve
shortages.