Artic Silver?

[wllce1314]

I have a unopened tube of Artic Silver 3 lying around, Is this still good to use? Or should I go ahead and by a tube of Artic Silver 5?

 

[regnez]

I don't know whether or not thermal compound has an expiration date, but I would just go ahead and get a new tube of AS5 to be safe.

 

[Bill Brasky]

I don't think any of the ingredients actually expire, but arctic silver is not homogeneous. So the contents will eventually separate inside the tube. I think I've even heard of people storing their arctic silver in the refrigerator to slow this process.

 

[Azndude51]

Originally posted by: Zaitsev
I don't think any of the ingredients actually expire, but arctic silver is not homogeneous. So the contents will eventually separate inside the tube. I think I've even heard of people storing their arctic silver in the refrigerator to slow this process.

I have some 2 year old AS5, I guess I should replace it since I've stored it in my drawer and not a fridge or freezer.

 

[liberatecuba]

thats a great question.. What is the shelf life of thermal compounds?
I got some Artic Silver 5 back in October.. I hope im OK.. This is probably a question for the manufacturer.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: liberatecuba
thats a great question.. What is the shelf life of thermal compounds?
I got some Artic Silver 5 back in October.. I hope im OK.. This is probably a question for the manufacturer.

Right you are.

Storage

Like any mix of particles that are many times heavier than the suspension fluid, there will be some separation in the compound over time when stored in the original syringe. (All thermal compounds eventually experience some separation in storage.) This does not affect the performance of the unseparated or remixed compound.
To keep the compound fresh for future applications, always replace the cap on the syringe after each use. The syringe should be stored tip down so that any separation that occurs will be at the back end of the syringe with fully suspended particles below that. Storing in a cool place like a refrigerator will also lessen separation over time.

 

[mrlithium]

you may want to squeeze some out onto a dish, mix it up with a small stick and then apply it.

the first drop of the AS5 thats gonna come out will be a clear oil, i just did it with a 6 month old tube. sort of like mustard and that water stuff on the first squirt.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: liberatecuba
thats a great question.. What is the shelf life of thermal compounds?
I got some Artic Silver 5 back in October.. I hope im OK.. This is probably a question for the manufacturer.

Right you are.

Storage

Like any mix of particles that are many times heavier than the suspension fluid, there will be some separation in the compound over time when stored in the original syringe. (All thermal compounds eventually experience some separation in storage.) This does not affect the performance of the unseparated or remixed compound.
To keep the compound fresh for future applications, always replace the cap on the syringe after each use. The syringe should be stored tip down so that any separation that occurs will be at the back end of the syringe with fully suspended particles below that. Storing in a cool place like a refrigerator will also lessen separation over time.

Nice find! I can't believe I didn't think to check manufacturers website. I guess the bolded part makes sense after thinking about it. However, my initial assumption was to store the tube flat on its side so the separation would occur evenly throughout the length of the tube.

 

[BigShroom]

Wow, this is very interesting thread.

I have some AS3 thats been lying around I was contemplating using with a tuniq tower I just ordered, guess I'll just use the stuff it comes with instead. I was too cheap to spring for a new syringe of AS5.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Hmm I'm using some old old AS3 on my CPU. Kinda hard to get that last little bit out of the tube but I don't notice any separation really - although I haven't seen a new tube of AS to compare it to Seems to work OK, but maybe some new stuff would help. Probably an improvement between AS3 and AS5 to begin with anyway.

 

[Blain]

AS3 is nice stuff. Just use a paper towel to capture the first clear liquid drips that come out. After that you should have good AS3.

 

[liberatecuba]

This is a beautiful thing...

Good questions asked and good answers found.

Accurate information is thereby shared and disseminated.

you gotta love it