pot life: one construct, many systems

In coatings, pot life is the limited working time of a two-component (2K) paint or coating after its parts are mixed, during which crosslinking has not yet raised the viscosity so far that the material can no longer be applied properly. Once the components meet, the reaction runs whether or not the paint is used, so the pot life sets how long a batch stays usable in the pot before it gels and must be discarded. Wicks and colleagues' Organic coatings: Science and technology treats the cure chemistry that fixes this working window. It is the same construct (a reactive mixture's finite usable life) that adhesives call pot life.[1]

Unit

Elapsed time after mixing before the coating is too viscous to apply

Recovery means

Not applicable; once pot life is exceeded the mixed batch is discarded, not restored

Measured by

Measured as the time from mixing until viscosity rises past a usable threshold at a stated temperature

In adhesives and sealants, pot life (or working life) is the interval after a reactive adhesive's components are mixed during which it stays fluid enough to apply and will still form a sound bond before cure advances too far. It is the identical construct as in coatings: the finite usable window of a reactive mixture, set by the curing reaction and shortened by warmth and batch size. Ebnesajjad's Adhesives technology handbook describes how pot life is specified and how it constrains mixing and application. Here the same idea governs bonding rather than film formation.[2]

Unit

Elapsed time after mixing before the adhesive can no longer be applied or will not bond

Recovery means

Not applicable; adhesive past its pot life is discarded

Measured by

Measured as the time from mixing until viscosity or bond quality falls past a usable limit at a stated temperature