DEVCON expiration date

[Travelor]

DEVCON 10100 has an expiration date on the box containing the two compounds. I have some (4 1 pound kits) with a 2008 expiration date. The grey compound is stiff, but workable.

Does anyone have experience with "out of date" DEVCON? Good, bad, throw it away??????????????????

I know the simple solution is to mix a little and see what happens, but I am not wanting to do that just yet.

George

 

[carrollshooter]

I had some Devcon that was out of date. The hardener was lumpy and turned yellow. Note that the directions for Devcon specifically state that the components should not be frozen. I froze mine and used it with no ill effects. I suspect that the reason for the freeze prohibition is that if you open the cans while the compounds are cold you will likely have condensation on the components as you mix them. I think we can safely assume that mixing water into the compounds will be very detrimental to the finished product. I allowed my cans to come to room temperature before I opened the lids. Almost all if not all chemical reactions slow down with a decrease in temperature. This applies to the unmixed components and the mixed components. Shelf life of items like epoxies dramatically increase when you keep them in the low 40s or so if they normally are stored at room temperature. The converse is also true. Heat dramatically decreases the shelf life.

 

[Larryh128]

Usually, when any epoxy has has gone past its usefull life, it will become "grainy". It may still set up but it won't have the normal strength. Try mixing up some & if the consistancy is normal more than likely, you're good to go. My wife throws things away 2 seconds after the expiration date, I never do unless I can tell that it's bad.

 

[Travelor]

Thanks for the advice and information. Even though Devcon is getting pretty expensive now ($37-50/pound kit), I think I will not use it and get new for my work.

George