Sticky-shed syndrome

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Sticky-shed syndrome is a condition created by the deterioration of the binders in a magnetic tape, which hold the ferric oxide magnetizable coating to its plastic carrier, or which hold the thinner back-coating on the outside of the tape.^[1] This deterioration renders the tape unusable.^[2] Some kinds of binder are known to break down over time, due to the absorption of moisture (hydrolysis).^{[citation needed]}

The symptoms of this breakdown can be immediately obvious even when rewinding the tape: tearing sounds and sluggish behavior.^[3] If a tape with sticky-shed syndrome is played, the reels will make screeching or squeaking sounds, and the tape will leave dusty, rusty particles on the guides and heads.^[4] In some cases, particularly with digital tapes, the symptoms are more subtle, causing intermittent dropouts.^{[citation needed]}