Two general conclusions are drawn which apply to all the four commercial polycarboxylate cements: First, the effect of storage condition upon shear strength was much more pronounced after 24 hours than after 1 hour of storage time; second, the effect of storage condition was most extreme when the specimens were tested free of their matrices. Additionally some specific comparisons between the four products tested can be made based on differences of shear strength within the same experimental condition. The effect of confinement decreased in the following order: Boston greater than Bondal greater than PCA greater than Durelon. Sensitivity to storage conditions decreased in this order: Durelon greater than Bondal greater than PCA greater than Boston. Finally sensitivity to storage times decreased in the order Bondal greater than Durelon greater than Boston greater than PCA.