Suppliers often define pot life as the time for a set mass, such as 100 grams, to double in viscosity or reach a set temperature. Because curing releases heat, a large mass in a cup runs out of pot life much faster than the same adhesive spread thin. In production it sets how long a mixer can sit idle before it must be purged or changed.
Pot life on this one is 20 minutes in the cup, so mix small batches, not the whole tub.
Spreading mixed epoxy out in a shallow tray instead of leaving it in the cup can roughly double the time you have to use it.
Also heard as
- working life
- work life
Do not mix it up with
- Open time: Pot life is the life of the mixed batch; open time is how long adhesive already spread on a part can wait before mating.
Related terms
Open time
The longest gap allowed between applying adhesive and closing the joint while it can still wet the second part.
Exotherm
The heat released by a curing adhesive, which speeds the reaction and can overheat thick masses.
Kick
To gel or cure suddenly, as in a resin kicking in the cup or a CA kicking with accelerator.
Two-part
Describing an adhesive supplied as a resin and a hardener that start curing only once mixed.