TMS320F28335: Component Surface Bulging

Hi Fatin,

Thank you for the detailed submission and photos.

Bulging Condition — Acceptability

TI's published documentation does not define specific acceptance criteria for mold compound surface bulging, so I cannot confirm from documentation alone whether the condition observed is within manufacturing tolerances or constitutes a defect. That determination requires a formal quality review by TI's product quality team on a case-by-case basis.

Reliability Standing

The TMS320F28335PGFA is an active, catalog-rated product assembled at TI Philippines in a 176-pin LQFP package. It has passed all standard JEDEC reliability qualifications:

Potential Root Cause — Moisture Sensitivity

This is worth flagging before escalating to the TI Quality and Reliability team. The TMS320F28335PGFA is rated MSL Level 3, meaning once the moisture barrier bag is opened, parts must be assembled within 168 hours under controlled floor conditions (30C / 60% RH or better). If parts were stored outside the bag beyond that window without baking, moisture absorption into the mold compound is a credible and consistent explanation for the bulging pattern observed across multiple unused units from the same lot.

Before submitting a quality case to TI, please confirm the following:

• Whether the dry-pack seal was intact upon receipt
• Storage conditions and duration after the bag was opened
• Whether all affected units share the same lot and date code

This context will be critical for TI's quality team in determining whether the condition originated at manufacturing or during downstream handling and storage, and it will directly affect the outcome of any warranty or RMA consideration.

Warranty Coverage

TI warranty coverage applies only to products purchased directly from TI or through their authorized distribution network — Arrow Electronics, Digi-Key Electronics, or Mouser Electronics. Products sourced outside of those channels are not eligible for warranty support.

Please confirm that PO# 9431033 was fulfilled through one of those authorized channels prior to escalating. If it was not, TI will not be in a position to support a warranty or RMA claim. Note also that per TI's standard terms, no refund is available on purchased parts, though a formal RMA may be considered depending on the outcome of TI's quality review.

Recommended Next Steps

1. Verify the purchase channel against TI's authorized distributor list
2. Confirm dry-pack integrity, floor life exposure, and lot and date code for all affected units
3. Submit a formal quality case to TI Customer Support with PO# 9431033, lot and date code, and the photos provided — this is the correct path for quality escalation and any potential RMA consideration
4. Continue your internal electrical and mechanical evaluation and include those results as supporting evidence in the TI quality submission

1. Verify the purchase channel against TI's authorized distributor list  

We direct purchased from TI. Attached invoice copy for reference. Please confirm if this still under warranty?

2. Confirm dry-pack integrity, floor life exposure, and lot and date code for all affected units

The storage conditions are good, and the exposure time is only 4.5 hours, which is  within the 168-hour limit for MSL 3.

Could you please advise the shelf life of these parts? What is mfg expiry date? as we have received these part in 2022 with DC 202141 and 202240. 

To confirm the affected lot, please advise if we can proceed with rescreening and retaping? Is this will affect RMA consideration from TI?

• PO# 9431033
• MPN: TMS320F28335PGFA
• Lot/Date Codes: DC 202141 and DC 202240
• The photos and your internal evaluation findings

• MSL Rating: Level 3 — 260°C / 168 hours (J-STD-020)
• Floor Life (once dry-pack is opened): 168 hours (7 days) at ≤30°C / ≤60% RH

• DC 202141 = Week 41 of 2021 (approximately October 2021)
• DC 202240 = Week 40 of 2022 (approximately October 2022)

Important: You have confirmed only 4.5 hours of floor life exposure, which is well within the 168-hour limit. However, if the bags were stored for an extended period beyond 12 months before opening, a bake-out per J-STD-033 (125°C / 24 hours for MSL 3) would be the standard remediation before assembly. Whether TI considers this a warranty condition or a handling/storage issue will depend on the bag seal date.

• Rescreening (electrical testing to separate passing from failing units) is generally acceptable as a characterization step and can strengthen your quality submission by providing data on electrical functionality.
• Retaping/repackaging of units that have already been identified as potentially defective could complicate TI's ability to inspect the parts in their original condition, which may negatively impact your RMA consideration.

Fleenor said:

Request written authorization from TI before rescreening/retaping

Hi TI team, 

How can we request on this?

Hi Fatin,

To request written authorization from TI before rescreening/retaping, you need to submit a formal quality case through TI Customer Support. The E2E forum (where this thread lives) is not the correct channel for quality/warranty escalations or to obtain formal written authorization — it's a technical support forum.

How to proceed:

1. Go to TI's Customer Support portal at ti.com/support and submit a quality/reliability case (not a general technical inquiry).

2. In your submission, include:

   • PO# 9431033
   • MPN: TMS320F28335PGFA
   • Lot/Date Codes: DC 202141 and DC 202240
   • Invoice copy (proof of direct purchase from TI)
   • Photos of the bulging condition
   • Your internal evaluation results (when available)
   • Explicitly state that you intend to perform rescreening and retaping, and request TI's written approval before proceeding

3. Do not rescreen or retape until you receive written confirmation from TI's quality team. They may want to inspect parts in their as-received condition, and acting without authorization could jeopardize your RMA eligibility 1.

Key point:

The TI quality team will respond through the formal case system (not through this E2E forum thread). Once you open the case, a TI quality engineer will be assigned and can provide the written authorization you need — or instruct you to hold the parts for TI inspection.

Best Regards,

Zackary Fleenor