How long does thermal paste last?

[DeagleMaster]

I have an opened tube of nuctua nt-h1 thermal paste. It was opened about 9 months ago. Is this still usable? The tube has a cap on it btw.

[Moonzy]

6 minutes ago, DeagleMaster said:

Is this still usable? The tube has a cap on it btw.

most probably yes, i've had paste in used tubes far longer than that (with cap)

 

if it's cured in 9 months in the tube, not even heat cycled, then it's junk paste.

[DeagleMaster]

Just now, Moonzy said:

most probably yes, i've had paste in opened tubes far longer than that

 

if it's cured in 9 months in the tube, not even heat cycled, then it's junk paste.

Cured? Please elaborate

[Moonzy]

1 minute ago, DeagleMaster said:

Cured? Please elaborate

"dried up" or "hardened"

[RejZoR]

Thermal pastes can last almost forever. If you can squeeze it out of syringe and it has uniform consistency (hasn't separated into solid and liquid parts) it should be fine. If it's dried up you'll probably not get it out of syringe anyway.

[Applefreak]

NT-H1 is good for years, don't worry about it. I have just used up a tube I bought in 2017.