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What is a Desiccant?
What is a Desiccant?
Desiccants are a packaging component used in assisting humid environments by absorbing moisture content from the air. Normally used in shipping, storage or preservation of materials and products, desiccants are used to keep everything from shoes to military ammunitions dry!
Desiccants come in various forms, they can be made utilizing agents, such as montmorillonite clay or silica gel, molecular sieve, and more.
Typically used in transport, storage or maintenance of materials and products, desiccants are used to keep everything from gym shoes to military munition dry.
Desiccants are Aimed to Combat:
- 1. Internal packaging water vapor in the air
- 2. Moisture within or on the walls of the package
- 3. Permeable moisture entering the package
Different Types of Desiccants
Silica Gel Desiccant
- Silica gel is predominantly non-corrosive and non-toxic in nature.
- The most commonly used desiccant
- Silica gel is often found in consumer products, such as clothing and electronics.
- Silica gel does not function well in extreme heat and environments with a low H20 concentration.
Molecular Sieve Desiccant
- Molecular Sieve is ideal for applications in extreme temperature settings. (40℃ to 230℃)
- Molecular sieve will not as readily desorb moisture back into packaging when temperatures rise as will Silica Gel or Clay.
Montmorillonite Clay Desiccant
- Its mostly used in storage applications and food.
- It is highly effective within normal temperature and relative humidity ranges.
Silica Gel & Active Carbon
- Utlitizes a combination of silica gel and activated carbon.
- These desiccants which allow for a high absorption capacity for moisture and odor.
- It can also adsorb toxic gases for years, making it ideal for military gas masks.
Characteristics of Each:
| wdt_ID | Characteristics | Molecular Sieve | Silica Gel | Clay | Silica Gel & Active Carbon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capacity of adoption in Low Concentration of H2O | Excellent | Low | Average | Low |
| 2 | Rate of Adsorption | Excellent | Good | Good | Average |
| 3 | Water capacity @77F, 40%RH | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| 4 | Separation by Molecular Sieve | Yes | No | No | No |
| 5 | Capacity of Adsorption @ High Temperatures | Excellent | Low | Low | Low |
| 6 | Odor Adsorption | No | No | No | yes |
