Possible uses of a MELF resistor?

Question

I have been doing some net-surfing on Farnell's website and stumbled upon a section called

MELF Surface Mount Resistors

According to Wikipedia, this package family has a rather funnily sounding de-abbreviation Most End up Lying on the Floor, since they are extremely easy to lose. This may be due to the fact that they are cylindrical... I myself have lost quite a few of such diodes.

Wiki says, that there are three basic sizes. MELF, MiniMELF, MicroMelf - the two latter are in the power-rating range of 0603/0805 resistors. The 1W MELF package is obviously useful for dissipation reasons.

So my question is, why on Earth would anybody design a board containing small MELF components, since they can easily be replaced with more modern flat parts? I cannot see a single advantage. Please prove me wrong.

Answer 1

The cylindrical construction of MELF devices provides an optimal power rating and pulse load capability related to the mounting space. Continuous development has led to improved long-term stability and moisture resistance, and allows high-temperature operation to + 175 °C.

This paper explores why this resistor series has become so successful, and why there is often no alternative to it today in professional applications.

Vishay