Devcon shelf life and date codes??

[hoz53]

Just wondering if Devcon has a certain shelf life and you shouldnt use it after its to old? I just read an older post here about how they had problems with the hardener. I threw away the box and I guess that is where the use by date is. How long does your unmixed Devcon last?

 

[Roeder]

Just wondering if Devcon has a certain shelf life and you shouldnt use it after its to old? I just read an older post here about how they had problems with the hardener. I threw away the box and I guess that is where the use by date is. How long does your unmixed Devcon last?

A couple of years ago they changed the formulation for the hardener and it went bad a short time after the container was unsealed. I believe they fixed the issue. Bad hardener looks sort of granular and chunky and doesn't mix well. The result is small voids and soft spots in the cured mix. I wouldn't judge it by the date, if the hardener is smooth and creamy it is fine. I emailed Devcon when I had an issue and they sent me a free container of hardener.

 

[spitfire_er]

I just used some that was a couple years past the date. Bought it prob 4-5 years ago though. Worked perfect.

 

[hoz53]

A couple of years ago they changed the formulation for the hardener and it went bad a short time after the container was unsealed. I believe they fixed the issue. Bad hardener looks sort of granular and chunky and doesn't mix well. The result is small voids and soft spots in the cured mix. I wouldn't judge it by the date, if the hardener is smooth and creamy it is fine. I emailed Devcon when I had an issue and they sent me a free container of hardener.

Thanks I had some of that with the grainy hardener. I will watch that.

 

[hoz53]

I just used some that was a couple years past the date. Bought it prob 4-5 years ago though. Worked perfect.

Thanks--Good to know about the 4 to 5 years

 

[spitfire_er]

my hardener is still "creamy"

 

[hoz53]

my hardener is still "creamy"

I've got some unopened I'll check it tomorrow

 

[JohnD]

Just found this thread. The hardener I had looked bad too as it had grainy texture. Emailed the folks at Devcon and although they sent me a new kit the guy there said the "grainy" hardener would work just fine.

John

 

[Intheshop]

Probably shouldn't respond because epoxy technology starts to make my head hurt....between doing engineered building (stupid high $$$ curved stairs),and championship winning recurve/longbow business...

Smooth-On EA40,and get on with your project.Like any adhesive,buy in quantities that you can use up in a year.If you insist on out of date Devcon,you can try heating it,prior to mixing.

 

[ireload2]

The date code is often impressed in the rolled up bead at the base of tube or is stamped on the label or bottom of the cans if you have large amounts.
You can extend shelf life significantly if you have a means of keeping the material in cold storage.

At one of my employers, they were limited to the 1 year shelf life on the cans of 3M 2216 Structural Adhesive and they tossed out even unopened material that had expired shelf life. I rescued some of it from the dumpster and It is still good after at least 20 years.

The most reliable way to use expired epoxy is to mix up a small batch of the resin and catalyst mixed exactly to the ratios required by the manufacturer by weight using a triple beam balance. Put a small amount on a poly lid such as you get with a margarine container. Then add the second component to the exact ratio and mix it.

Set it aside and let it cure over night. If it cures properly go ahead and use it.
The employees used lots of the 3M adhesive #2216 in this manner at my employer and and we never had a single mix lot to fail. We actually tested ALL lots of the epoxy for proper curing even if they still had valid shelf life remaining.
The product we were bonding was way too expensive to risk with a potentially bad batch of adhesive.
The remains of the working batches were always retained until the next day to verify the material had set up properly. This was recorded in the manufacturing lot installation log or traveler.

 

[hoz53]

The date code is often impressed in the rolled up bead at the base of tube or is stamped on the label or bottom of the cans if you have large amounts.
You can extend shelf life significantly if you have a means of keeping the material in cold storage.

At one of my employers, they were limited to the 1 year shelf life on the cans of 3M 2216 Structural Adhesive and they tossed out even unopened material that had expired shelf life. I rescued some of it from the dumpster and It is still good after at least 20 years.

The most reliable way to use expired epoxy is to mix up a small batch of the resin and catalyst mixed exactly to the ratios required by the manufacturer by weight using a triple beam balance. Put a small amount on a poly lid such as you get with a margarine container. Then add the second component to the exact ratio and mix it.

Set it aside and let it cure over night. If it cures properly go ahead and use it.
The employees used lots of the 3M adhesive #2216 in this manner at my employer and and we never had a single mix lot to fail. We actually tested ALL lots of the epoxy for proper curing even if they still had valid shelf life remaining.
The product we were bonding was way too expensive to risk with a potentially bad batch of adhesive.
The remains of the working batches were always retained until the next day to verify the material had set up properly. This was recorded in the manufacturing lot installation log or traveler.

Thanks Fellas--it's good to learn more about this stuff. I don't really want to use outdated product and that's why I asked the question. I sure will make sure I keep track of the dates from now on. Also I'll look into these products you guys have told me about.

 

[Shaggy357]

If it is leaching from the plastic containers into the cardboard box, you probably should be ready to toss it, or if it on the shelf, pass. I found some on a killer deal a couple of years ago thru a mail order outfit. When I got it, I found out why the price was so good. It was expired and leaching. 50% cost savings for 25% usable product just doesn't work for me. I was able to use enough to satisfy my expenditure, but will not order from the flaky outfit again.

 

[hoz53]

If it is leaching from the plastic containers into the cardboard box, you probably should be ready to toss it, or if it on the shelf, pass. I found some on a killer deal a couple of years ago thru a mail order outfit. When I got it, I found out why the price was so good. It was expired and leaching. 50% cost savings for 25% usable product just doesn't work for me. I was able to use enough to satisfy my expenditure, but will not order from the flaky outfit again.

Thanks I know anything I find really cheap like that -usually theres a reason. Ive learned my lesson on that more than once.