Imation has done extensive process and materials design over the past five years, to make sure that Imation CD-ROMs are the most long lived in the industry. This includes using the purest materials available, and use of Statistical Process Control (SPC) to maintain consistent quality. Because there was no established test method for determining CD lifetime, we developed one. We have submitted it to an ANSI Subcommittee for consideration as a standard. Our testing has involved putting several sets of discs into nine different temperature and humidity chambers, and then exposing the discs to conditions as harsh as 80^oC (176^oF) and 85% relative humidity. The discs were then periodically monitored to check the effect of temperature and humidity on the error rate (BLER) of the discs. The data was then analyzed using statistical methods to predict a lifetime value. In addition to these tests, new production is regularly subjected to environmental stressing. This insures that ongoing disc production is as good or better than the first discs that came off the 3M production line in 1985.

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