How to Identify Fake Devcon® Products and Protect Your Business

In the industrial world, reliability matters. From emergency repairs to preventive maintenance, choosing the right materials can mean the difference between extended equipment life and costly downtime. Unfortunately, counterfeit repair products are becoming more common in the market, and Devcon® products trusted worldwide for their performance are no exception. Using fake materials not only compromises repair quality but also poses serious safety and financial risks.

Here’s how you can spot the difference between genuine Devcon® products and counterfeits:

1. Date Code & Shelf Life Verification

Every Devcon® product has a clearly defined date code system:

• 1st digit = last digit of the production year
• 2nd & 3rd digits = production month
• 4th & 5th digits = production day
• 6th digit = batch number

For example:

• 211261 → Produced on Nov 26, 2012. Shelf life: 5 years, so expiry should be Nov 26, 2017. If a label shows 2025, it’s fake.
• 010071 → Produced on Oct 07, 2020. Shelf life valid until Oct 07, 2025. Genuine.

Always cross-check the “Use By” date with this system.

2. Lot Number Format

• Genuine: Always 6 digits (e.g., 010071)
• Fake: Often 7 digits (e.g., 0091711)

3. Hardener Code Differences, Labeling & Language Details

The hardener label provides another authenticity clue:

• Genuine: Codes such as LBL-5305-H Rev…#
• Fake: Codes like LBL-10110-H

Counterfeit packaging often contains inconsistencies in descriptions and formatting. Examples include:

• Genuine: “NET WT.0.11 LBS (454g)”
• Fake: “NET WT,0.11 LBS (454g)” (comma instead of period)
• Hardener Label: Genuine products are marked clearly as “Putty Hardener” with specific descriptions (e.g., Plastic Steel A, Aluminum Putty F). Fake ones may display incorrect or incomplete labels such as “10110” only.

4. Packaging Quality

Visual inspection also helps. Genuine Devcon® packaging is consistent, professional, and matches ITW Performance Polymers’ brand identity. Counterfeit packaging often looks off in color, print quality, or layout.

Why It Matters

Using counterfeit repair products can:

• Lead to premature equipment failure
• Cause safety hazards in industrial operations
• Result in financial losses due to rework and downtime

By knowing these differences, procurement teams, engineers, and maintenance professionals can ensure they’re working with authentic Devcon® materials that deliver the performance and reliability expected from ITW Performance Polymers.

Final Advice

Always purchase Devcon® products from an authorized distributor. If you notice irregularities in date codes, lot numbers, or packaging details, consult ITW Performance Polymers for verification. Protecting your business starts with ensuring the authenticity of the products you use.