Greetings

[ChenWeiLun]

Hi all,

Welcome to Solid Surface Geeks. I am honored to be moderator here. While not an expert in silicones, I used to formulate and manufacture adhesives for solid surface. I will try to answer your questions or direct you to someone who knows the answer. But ultimately the power of this BB is that we draw upon and unite our common experience and
knowledge of our particpants for the benefit of all. Quite a powerful concept.

Regards,

Lenny Elbon

Hello Len My Man. Hows things in China? Does silicone really have a shelf life?

[guest]

Any explanation whay sometimes I get soft spots in my 50ml Corian adhesive lines? It doesn't happen with my 470s just the little ones. Dupont tells me there may be air bubbles, but even when I stand the tubes on end and purge them I sill find some soft spots. Any one else get this and is there a cure? Is this a different mix than the big tubes? :?

[Joe Corlett]

Lenny:

Should a fabricator wipe excess silicone on his pants or his shirt?

Please hurry,

Joe

Hello Guest. I have posted a link to the company that makes the mini bulks for Dupont.I believe the contact name is David Hersch. They are very helpful. If you find the answer to your question could you post it hear?

http://www.conprotec.com/

[ChenWeiLun]

Hi all,

kinda rushed here, so here are 2 answers at once. All silicones state 6 mos shelf life. Ive uswed them after that with no probs. But humidity (esp. higher than 50%) and high temepratures decrease shelf life of silicone

I dont know for sure but imagine the 50 ml cartridges would be the same formula. If not it creates 2 formulas and 2 sku's for the same thing, something manufacturers dont like to do. Please lewt me know what the supplier says, Id be interested.

Regards,

Lenny

PS always wipe silicone on the shirt, never the pants

[MAldridge]

Hello All,

My first post. I have been told by at least 2 silicone adhesive manufactures that you can freeze your silicone to extend the shelf life. I do not think that they would make that common knowledge, but from my experience, I have yet to see any results that would make me doubt them. The bond does not suffer, and the silicones viscosity seems unchanged after returning to room temp. This can be very helpful if you are keeping an inventory of many different colors. If someone knows something negative about freezing that I don't please advise.

-Matt

[ChenWeiLun]

Hi,

Interesting. I know moisture (humidity) and heat kills the shelf life of silicone. I have never heard any pros and cons of freezing for extending life, and would be interested in hearing the experiences of others.

Thanks,

Chen Wei Lun

[lensmith]

Good question, and welcome to solidsurfacegeeks!

[Indy_Custom_Tops]

Per the Integra Adhesives website:

What is the expected shelf life?

Properly stored- the adhesive has an estimated shelf life of one year. For best results, we recommend that you use the adhesive within 6 months of production. Elevated temperatures will reduce the shelf life of any adhesive so refrigeration is an acceptable means of storage.

[MAldridge]

Speeking of adhesives,

At the show in Vegas a guy from Sulzer stopped by our booth. He showed me a container for a two part methyl methacrylate that resembles a caulk cartridge and can be used in a standard caulk or silicone gun. The activater was seperate in the center and mixed with the glue in the static mixer tip. This would mean a DIY'er could do a field hard seam without droping $130.00 on a two part gun. This company just made the containers. Has anyone used this system? Pros? Cons?

Also, I have seen some spectacular bonds using various polyurethane glues when adhereing wood to SS. But always, foam, foam, foam..., too much foam. Even manufactures that claim minimal foam..., too much foam. The reaction with the moisture causes the foam, unfortunately it also creates the spectacular bond. Does anyone know of a manufacturer of a polyurethane glue that has beat this hurtle?

[Joe Corlett]

Mal:
What's the big problem with the foam?

Joe

[MAldridge]

Hi Joe,

I manage the Visioneer plant. Yes, Travis is my cousin and my boss, often in reverse order. What I found to be the problem with the foam is it can foam as much as two hours after putting the joint together. That means the installer has to babysit the joint and clean it off when the reaction is done. We do absolutely no installation and do not hard seam in order to make the process easy for ANYONE to install. Joints are currently put together with white wood glue, and sold as visible seam. This works just great as long as you know what you are doing. If you flex that joint after it has set up you crack the bond and in a number of months your joint swells apart. The bond with polyurethane is so strong, it would help make this occasional problem idiot proof. But the foam is a definate issue for us.

-matt