Silica Gel Desiccants
Silica Gels for Desiccators and Desiccant Cabinets
The microporous structure of silica gel affords a high surface area (up to 800 m2/g) that is ideal for the scavenging of atmospheric moisture. Since there is no chemical reaction associated with the dehydration process, desiccated compounds are never exposed to harmful by-products or contaminants.
Silica gel is used widely as a laboratory desiccant for the following reasons:
- It can adsorb up to one third of its own weight in water vapour (this adsorption efficiency is approximately 35% greater than that of typical desiccant clays)
- It has an almost indefinite shelf-life if stored under airtight conditions
- Once saturated with water, silica can be regenerated by gentle heating
- With the exception of strong alkalis and hydrofluoric acid (HF), it is inert and resistant to attack or corrosion
- It is non-toxic, non-flammable and easy to handle
- It maintains the appearance of a dry product and its shape remains unchanged even when fully saturated with water
Standard white silica gel is referred to as being non-indicating. Self-indicating silica gels possess a chemical compound or dye that changes colour as moisture is adsorbed.
Our Material Harvest® self-indicating desiccants are available in “blue to pink” and “orange to cream” format. Please note that medium size granules (1 – 5 mm) are suitable for laboratory desiccants whilst larger granules (2 – 5 mm or 4 – 8 mm) are normally employed in dynamic adsorption processes.
Product Code |
Type of Desiccant |
Colour at Saturation |
Surface Area (m2/g) |
Granule size (mm) |
Format |
MH 0100401 |
Blue silica |
Pink |
700 – 800
|
1 – 3 |
1 – 175 kg per container |
MH 0100402 |
Blue silica |
Pink |
700 – 800
|
2 – 5 |
1 – 175 kg per container |
MH 0100403 |
Blue silica |
Pink |
700 – 800
|
4 – 8 |
1 – 175 kg per container |
MH 0100404 |
Orange silica |
Cream |
700 – 800
|
1 – 3 |
1 – 175 kg per container |
MH 0100405 |
Orange silica |
Cream |
700 – 800
|
2 – 5 |
1 – 175 kg per container |
MH 0100406 |
Orange silica |
Cream |
700 – 800
|
4 – 8 |
1 – 175 kg per container |
Silica Gel Packets for Commercial Applications
Sachets or bags that contain silica gel must be flexible, robust and able to “breathe” (so that water molecules can penetrate the packet and be adsorbed by the desiccant). Standard sachet materials include tea-bag paper, fabric, cotton, oriented polypropylene (OPP) and Tyvek™; the packet itself can be either heat-sealed or sewn.
Our affiliated manufacturer has developed a wide range of silica gel sachets and bags that are suitable for use with the following products:
- Food items and perishable goods
- Medical and pharmaceutical products
- Electronic components and/or devices
- Optical glasses and lenses
- Transport containers (personal or industrial)
Our packed desiccants are available in non-indicating and self-indicating format. Please contact us with your exact requirements or to make an enquiry so that we can identify the type of silica gel and packaging combination that is best suited for your applications.
Exceptional volume discounts are available for food and sundry exporters.
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