Does thermal paste expire?

[ZanatosFox]

Hi guys, I tried a quick search but couldn't find any info on this. So I've found some old Arctic Silver thermal compound I picked up for a build 5 years ago that I never used. Does this stuff go bad? Would it still perform well if I used it today? I'd hate to have it not work, and screw up a new CPU, since a new tube of paste would not be that expensive anyway. Anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks,

 

[Modelworks]

Some say it does.
I would use it anyway. It isn't likely to make a difference whether it is 1 year old or 5 years old.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
Some say it does.
I would use it anyway. It isn't likely to make a difference whether it is 1 year old or 5 years old.

It can separate if stored improperly.

 

[ZanatosFox]

Haha well, considering this was just sitting in a box which a various points was in my basement, and in a closet, it probably wasn't stored properly.

 

[fffblackmage]

if it separates, can't you just mix it up?

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: fffblackmage
if it separates, can't you just mix it up?

Not really. The suspension is in the tube, and it's hard to mix while it's still in the tube, eh?

 

[Zepper]

Yeah, you don't want to mix in a lot of air bubbles or foreign material either. Don't want to use it if it is dried out either. Unless you can see what shape it's in, I'd get some new.

.bh.

 

[ZanatosFox]

Yea, it's kind of hard to tell what shape it's in while its in the tube. I'd have to squirt a little out to check. I think I'll probably just toss it and pick up a new tube though. No sense taking a chance ruining a new CPU with such a cheap item to replace.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[hans007]

I think arctic silver can seperate. the normal zinc-oxide or arctic ceramic probably not. though i've heard that years of being heated can cause some chemical changes.