Polycarbonate substrate degradation can occur due to some polyurethane foam padding off-gassing.
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CDの劣化が話題ですが、密閉度の高い精密機器収納用のトランクとか開けた時に、緩衝用のスポンジから臭い匂いがする事がありますよね？あれ大体がでアンモニアなので、専用ソフトインストール用のCD-ROMとか入れてそのまま蓋をしておくと、ポリカーボネート部が侵されてこうなります。 https://t.co/5eTX6wGWll pic.twitter.com/ibAgBcEOPx August 6, 2026
The two examples of shattered CDs embedded above might look pretty similar, but the failures may have been precipitated through different vectors. @japanretrogame’s split-down-the-middle CD was perhaps doomed due to too much care and maintenance. Reader notes suggest the user cleaned and polished this CD to keep it clean and shiny. This eventually caused chemical cracking of the polycarbonate substrate, it is thought [machine translations used].
Moving along to consider @CZ662C’s even worse-looking CD fragments, and the tech detectives on X reckon this dramatic damage was caused by storage in a foam-padded case. Some foam padding materials, the story goes, will off-gas ammonia compounds. Apparently sealed protective cases with (particularly polyurethane type) foam padding will off-gas, and if left sealed with CDs inside, the vapor can weaken, craze, or lead to cracking of the polycarbonate structure.
Polycarbonate substrate damage is a greater danger for CD users as compact discs rely on a single layer of this plastic. DVDs employ two polycarbonate halves bonded together with adhesive, which makes them less susceptible to the above-outlined issues.
The dangers of bit rot and laser rot have caused far more significant blips on the optical disc user threat radar to date. Wikipedia classifies this kind of damage as being caused largely by oxidation of the reflective layer, reactions with contaminants, and ultraviolet light damage. DVDs can also suffer from de-bonding of the adhesive between the two slivers of polycarbonate in the disc.
Future Nostalgia Project asks retro hoarders to ‘Copy That Floppy!’
Key considerations
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Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/catastrophic-optical-disc-shattering-blamed-on-cleaning-chemicals-and-packing-foam-another-data-preservation-concern-to-add-to-bit-rot-and-laser-rot#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/membership
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