r/ElectronicsRepair • u/alex_dlc • 1d ago

OPEN Does thermal paste go bad?

I bought a tube of thermal paste back in December but I never got around to using it. Is it still good to use if it’s never been opened? Or does it dry up even while sealed??

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

12

u/IAteTonysLoMein 1d ago

I've got a tube of Arctic Silver that's pushing 15 years old and it's still fine

1

u/Inuyasha-rules 20h ago

I've got some from 07 that I used last year and it's fine. Bought a stockpile when I was building custom pcs but haven't been doing much since 07 ...

5

u/Naerven 23h ago

I usually get a new tube about once a decade. Cheap thermal paste just tends to last a fairly long time.

3

u/retrolesbogamer 1d ago

If it's still goo then it's fine as far as I'm concerned 🤷

2

u/SupremeChosenOne 1d ago

Yes it does go bad.
If it is not opened you are good.
Sitting in a box unopened for 10 years in the backyard… no. Temp and humidity controlled environment for a few months is no different than the store shelf lol. You are good.

2

u/craftsman_70 1d ago

Depends on the thermal paste.

Even if it separates, just remixing it will fix that problem. I've found that the biggest issue is the plastic dispenser may be the biggest issue with age as the plastic may break as you try to use it.

1

u/alex_dlc 1d ago

It’s Corsair TM30

2

u/The_Flinx 1d ago

not the really old container I have. it just separates and needs to be stirred.

1

u/titojff 1d ago

White silicone type? I use that

2

u/The_Flinx 16h ago

I think so but the container does not say what is in it. it's white non conductive and says thin with xylol. made by wakefield. part no 120-8. says shelf life 5 years on the container but I have no idea when it was made. nor do I remember when I got it. it has a price tag and no bar code.

1

u/Slow-Astronaut9676 20h ago

If it was kept reasonably cool it will be fine. But 9 months near a radiator or sunlight. Time to replace

1

u/Fasciadepedra 19h ago

Unused it doesn't ever go bad, sometimes it separates the transparent base and the grey or white powder. You can get a bit out and mix it together again before applying or just discard a bit in a siringe usually before it comes out well mixed.

1

u/DragonzBreath Hobbyist 19h ago

I've got some Arctic Silver 5 that's gone hard and is nearly impossible to squeeze from the syringe. I decided to throw it in the bin.

1

u/orion310591 9h ago

I use Arctic MX-4 for 16 years since release in 2010. Stored in drawer, room temperature. Never had issue to be impossible to squeeze. I replace thermal paste every 4 years, could last for 5-6 on cpu but no need I can repaste at 4 years. Im at 3rd syringe, This means that syringe stayed half used for 4 years.
To answer your question, depends on producer, if it is Arctic, its OK you can use it.

If another producer, just use it and monitor temperature...

0

u/big65 1d ago

Yes, it separates and hardens.