Artic Silver 5 - best before date?

Raider · 13 Mar 2006 at 08:28

I found a tube of AS 5 the other day, but when I tried to use it on a heatsink it seemed very thick and didn't spread very easily.

In comparison a very old tube of AS II spread like a dream and worked fine.

So does AS5 have a sell by date or is just thicker that ASII? Ta

Big.Wayne · 13 Mar 2006 at 10:49

I wouldn't worry about it, I think AS5 is meant to be thick like that (at least thats what I am reading?, never used myself). I am still using my batch of AS3 from a few years ago. . .

Street · 13 Mar 2006 at 12:54

As far as I know, AS5 is meant to be a lot thicker than the others.

Raider · 13 Mar 2006 at 13:29

Street said:
As far as I know, AS5 is meant to be a lot thicker than the others.

Ok, it's just a pain in the eras to smooth out!
I usually use a latex glove to smooth it out with my finger, maybe I should try the razor blade again

weescott · 13 Mar 2006 at 13:32

AS5 will separate over time. It could be the left over remnants you are using.

Big.Wayne · 13 Mar 2006 at 14:08

Raider said:
Ok, it's just a pain in the eras to smooth out!

well I don't think you have to smooth anything out, just put a small half-pea amount and then when you fit the heatsink the pressure will spread it out perfectly. . .

I use just a slightly bigger lump than this

here you can see how much the Arctic silver has been spread!

Full instructions here