How long will a tube of silicone last .. when opened

[wbmkk]

I bought a few tubes of silicone sealant to seal polycarbonate sheets on my greenhouse. I had a half tube left. The batch was dated August 2019

Now I have a new shed I need some silicone to seal the window ... will this still be OK

The end of the nozzle was plugged, with dry silicone, but when I took off the nozzle, the rest seems Ok when I try and squeeze it out.

thanks !

 

[Notch7]

If its slimy and sticky its prob ok.

Silicone goes a bit dry and wont flow out if old.

If unsure, squeeze a 6" length of bead on a bit if scrap and see if it dries ok.

 

[^woody^]

If it comes out the tube, use it.

 

[foxhole]

Usually good for 18months from production date unless opened .

 

[Chainsawcharlie]

That poses a question I've been meaning to ask for years.
What do you guys do to prolong the life of silicon tubes. I tend to buy a tube, use it once and by the next time I need it its gone hard in the tube.

I've had some success with keeping the tube indoors (warmer) rather than garage, putting a self tapper screw in the nozzle end, making sure nozzle is tight and as airtight as possible.

Any other tips?

 

[Dereekoo]

Unscrew nozzle, cling film on tube outlet, screw nozzle back on, Stuff in nozzle usually sets hard bur will easily push out with slim screwdriver.

 

[cdbe]

I abandon the bit in the nozzle and just use a new one. I don't tend to use the old stuff in "critical" areas, eg I'd bed a window cill on it but not use it round the frame externally.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

How long will it last? It's actually a bit like Schroedinger's Cat - when you put the tube away it is in a state where it is hypothetically both set and unset, only when you come to use it will the state be revealed because when you come to.use it next quantum superposition ends and reality resolves into one possibility or the other.

Although in my case the best scenario has been about 5 to 6 weeks when stored indoors, often less, sometimes more

 

[Chainsawcharlie]

Thanks guys, will try those tips.
Its a bugger when you buy the damn stuff only to find you only need a cm or so of sealant, then by the next time you need it its knackered

 

[DiyNutJob]

My silicone lasts forever while unopened when stored in the unheated garage. After opening, they go in the freezer wrapped in multiple plastic bags, again lasts forever. But, they are completely useless to me because of their poor performance - cured silicone becoming unstuck too frequently. I have no such problems with polymer, identical storage arrangement.

 

[Odds]

How long will it last? It's actually a bit like Schroedinger's Cat - when you put the tube away it is in a state where it is hypothetically both set and unset, only when you come to use it will the state be revealed because when you come to.use it next quantum superposition ends and reality resolves into one possibility or the other.

Although in my case the best scenario has been about 5 to 6 weeks when stored indoors, often less, sometimes more

Dude, ya gotta stop inhaling the fumes, i tell ya.