Working Time and Reusing an Opened Cartridge
The working time is the time available to inject and position the product once the two components are mixed. Depending on the product, it runs from 20 seconds to 7 minutes at 23°C.
An opened cartridge stays usable until the expiration date printed on it, with a new nozzle each time.
What the Working Time Is
On the timeline of the technical sheet, the working time comes first. During this period, you inject and position the product. After it passes, the product hardens and you can no longer inject or position it.
This time starts when the two components meet in the nozzle for a cartridge, or in your fingers for a Manual Putty.
We give these times at 23°C. Warmer conditions shorten the working time, while colder conditions lengthen it.
Working Time of Each Product
These working times come from the technical sheet of each product, at 23°C.
| Product | Working time at 23°C (min:sec) |
|---|---|
| Fluid | |
| F20 | 2:00 |
| F30 Visual | 1:00 |
| F30 Max | 4:00 |
| F40 | 2:00 |
| F50 | 1:30 |
| F65 | 2:00 |
| F85 | 0:30 |
| Pasty | |
| P25 | 1:30 |
| P35 | 2:00 |
| P80 Ra | 1:00 |
| P51 SD | 0:20 |
| Manual Putty | |
| M60 | 1:00 |
| M70 | 1:00 |
| M80 LP | 7:00 |
| M90 | 0:30 |
| Fluid XL | |
| F20 XL | 5:00 |
| F30 XL | 5:00 |
| F50 XL | 5:00 |
| F85 XL | 5:00 |
If You Pause During an Injection
The product left in the nozzle hardens once its working time has passed. Because the nozzle is single-use, fit a new nozzle, extrude a new test drop, and check that its color is uniform before you continue.
If the working time is too short for the job, choose a product with a longer one. F30 Max has 4 minutes, the XL products have 5 minutes, and M80 LP has 7 minutes. An XL product is not the standard product in a bigger pack, so check its times and its removal constraint first.
Close the Cartridge After the Impression
- Remove the nozzle with a quarter turn.
- Put the original cap back on the cartridge. Never swap the caps between the two components, because a contaminated component alters the mix.
- Store the cartridge upright in a dry place between 15°C and 25°C.
- Keep the tip. You can use it again if you unclip it gently.
Restart an Opened Cartridge
- Check the expiration date printed on the cartridge.
- Insert the cartridge in the dispensing gun, with the key at its base facing down.
- Remove the cap with a quarter turn to the left and lock a new nozzle with a quarter turn to the right.
- Extrude a test drop and check that it has one uniform color before you inject.
Opened Pots of Manual Putty
Close the pot with its foil seal and its cap right after use. It stays usable until the expiration date printed under the pot.
Use the dedicated spoons, one per component, and never swap them.
Related Pages
- Mix the Components
- Product Storage and Shelf Life
- Which Dispensing Gun for Which Cartridge
- Technical Sheet and SDS