20 month shelf life The EM-02 is a wicking type adhesive. This watery-thin adhesive infiltrates hairline fractures, pores, and narrow slots filling any empty voids. The EM-02 is well suited for porous and fragile material such as soft wood (balsa), ceramics, unpolished rocks and minerals, and fossil bones. For inlay applications, it penetrates and stabilizes the material through capillary action. The EM-02 will immediately soak into a soft, porous object until it is fully saturated with the CA. In such instances, it is advised to use an accelerator to create an instant reaction so full saturation of the object is unnecessary. It is often used as a finish by applying several coats, sanding, and then polishing to a high gloss.