how long can a well kept artic silver 5 last?

[penguin1]

will it harden or something? how long can it last at the most? 3years or more?

 

[HeavyF]

I have a tube of Arctic Silver 3 that is 5 years old and is still good (although for demanding situations I use Arctic Cooling MX-1- please no flames, all thermal pastes are pretty good). For general storage, keep the thermal paste sealed and at moderate (room or lower) temp and it is no issue. Remember that the bulk paste in the tube does not see the extreme temperature of the small volume applied between the HSF . Even in extreme conditions the paste between a HSF should last 6 months before drying. If kept in a tube (and sealed/cool) the thermal paste will last hundreds of times longer. In other words, no worries. Far more important is how you apply the paste and mate the heat sink to the chip. If all else falls, think about the meaning of "DON'T PANIC" These large friendly letters have suited me well, even if I sometimes forget to apply them. 😀

 

[technology-sponge]

if used normally ie (between a cpu and hsink/no crazy overclocks that hit the 80C range), the paste should be fine

paste drying out is rather rare, even if you just leave a blob sitting exposed for a few years, it might film/crust over. blowtorched do accelerate dryness though!


hehe

i took a 1300C flame to a mosfet amp a while back. the tranistsors blew but the paste went all brown and ucky

 

[Vokofpolisiekar]

I presume your talking about storage?

AS told me that if it was stored in a cool place, in an upward position, shelf life can be long. Dunno what happens when you open it though. I'd throw it away under a year or so once opened.

 

[technology-sponge]

Heatsink paste lasts ages, even when opened. Eeven the el cheapo stuff.


btw, in case anyone is wondering about actual use:

I meddle a lot in electronics, where a crazy overclocked cpu's heat output PALES IN COMPARISON to a mosfet in a power amp driven full load day after day (ie 200W of heat to be dissipated in a 1.2x1.2cm space, comapred to the 1.5x1.5 or the 4x4 heatspreader, whihc only has to dissipate 65-120W). Heatsink pastes simple lasts, it doesn't need changing, well meyba eonce every 7-10 years if used in extreme heat.

 

[penguin1]

yeah i'm talking abt storage

as in AFTER i apply it, there's bound to be some left in the tube, so can i use the remaining thermal compound like say 3years later? will it harden or will more importantly will it's efficency drop after that 3 yrs??

 

[ajfink]

I keep mine in my fridge to slow particle separation.

 

[Crapola]

I asked this question not too long ago... I have a tube of Artic silver 3 from 2002 and the guys from Artic advised me that it's still good... Here is the exact quote:

"It should be fine. If there has been any separation continue
pressing the plunger until fully mixed compound is
dispensed.


--
Colin Thompson
Arctic Silver, Inc.
Phone: (559) 740-0912
Fax: (559) 740-0913
colin@arcticsilver.com
www.arcticsilver.com"

8O