Originally Posted by
operator
No actually it's not really important. It's only needed when there's an issue that maximum normal torque on fasteners do not solve.
I can count on one hand out of the hundreds we've assembled and repaired that required carbon compound to hold the bars. If you *need* carbon compound to hold a bars with a stem at the correct torque, something is not right.
If you are assembling carbon components to aluminum components without the paste there is definitely something that is "not right." The Silicone is there to stop electrolysis between the carbon and aluminum which is a VERY BAD thing that can cause catastrophic failure in a very short time. The paste is not just for grip although the grit in the paste helps when parts tolerances stack up and you have a bit of a loose fit.
This is such a well known thing that even carbon/aluminum frame builders have to use a special glue which has "beads" in the glue to keep the 2 parts separated.