Everything You Should Know About Different Types of Desiccants
Desiccants are a type of hygroscopic material that is used to maintain a dry atmosphere in any enclosed space or package. Moisture and dampness can harm a lot of products, for example, packaged food, electronic items, clothes and apparel, cosmetics, medications, and more. Desiccants absorb the moisture from the air, preventing damage from dampness.
There are several types of desiccants, let’s take a look at them here.
Silica Gel
Silica gel is made from silicon dioxide (SiO2). It occurs naturally in the environment and is processed into small beads or granular form for use in packages as a desiccant. The silica gel
Silica gel absorbs moisture best at room temperature, which is 70o F to 90o F. However, it can absorb moisture in temperatures up to 220o F. Silica gel is very common in the United States as it is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and its most common application includes food and pharmaceutical packages.
Indicating Silica Gel
Indicating silica gel is another type of desiccant that is formed when silica gel beads are washed by a concentrated liquid, cobalt chloride. Cobalt chloride is a heavy metal salt and is blue when it’s dry. Upon absorbing moisture, its color can change to purple or pink.
The color change is an indication that the desiccant has absorbed enough moisture and it’s time to replace it. Cobalt chloride is not used for food or pharmaceutical packages because it’s not safe for consumption.
Montmorillonite Clay
Montmorillonite clay is another type of desiccant that is found naturally. It’s converted into a drying agent by drying the magnesium aluminum silicate.
Montmorillonite clay can be used repeatedly but is used for low temperatures only. If the temperatures inside a package go up, the clay releases the absorbed moisture back into its environment. The ideal working temperature for montmorillonite clay is below 120o F.
Montmorillonite clay is easily available and one of the least expensive desiccants, making it popular in the clothing and apparel industry, the electronic industry, and more.
If you’re in search of desiccants to keep your food, cosmetics, electronic, or any other package dry and safe from moisture damage, reach out to us at Sorbead India.
We offer packaging solutions to companies from multiple industries and have a variety of desiccants available, including silica gel, silica gel blue (indicating), molecular sieve, and more.
Get in touch with us to buy desiccants online.
