Small Quantity of Loctite GC 10

[jc101]

Only 5 months! I mean come on, get a grip what do you expect them to do with perfectly good paste with a perfectly workable shelf life that if you obey the pastes own rules, has to be used in way less than its shelf life once you break the seal?

When you buy something with 12 months shelf life, IMHO you should expect at least more than half of it left. What's the point in buying paste with 12 month shelf life paste when it has less shelf life left than 6 month shelf life paste? What it means, they did not manage their stock properly. And it becomes a significant issue when you do things in relatively small amounts as many people here, and do not spend 500g of paste in one day.

I bought a tub from Farnell in early 2020, arrived with a few days remaining on the date.  I've been working through it since then without issue.  Not had any issues so far, might need another one in a couple of months.  I open it, take some out, put the lid back on and then keep it in a ziplock bag.

[wraper]

I bought a tub from Farnell in early 2020, arrived with a few days remaining on the date.  I've been working through it since then without issue.  Not had any issues so far, might need another one in a couple of months.  I open it, take some out, put the lid back on and then keep it in a ziplock bag.

It's completely unacceptable. Expired GC 10 causes issues with vapor phase soldering. It's usually noticeable only under microscope but PCB here and there becomes covered with small particles. Looks like small amount of solder alloy particles is washed away by Galden and then sticks on PCB in various places. My observation is that it lasts maximum 4-6 months after expiry date before starts causing noticeable problems.

[jc101]

I bought a tub from Farnell in early 2020, arrived with a few days remaining on the date.  I've been working through it since then without issue.  Not had any issues so far, might need another one in a couple of months.  I open it, take some out, put the lid back on and then keep it in a ziplock bag.

Expired GC 10 causes issues with vapor phase soldering. It's usually noticeable only under microscope but PCB here and there becomes covered with small particles. Looks like small amount of solder alloy particles is washed away by Galden and then sticks on PCB in various places.

Not a problem for me, I just use a small batch reflow oven for prototypes.  Good to know about the vapour phase issue though.