Silica Gel Desiccant

Silica Gel is used in protecting goods against excess moisture, which can promote the growth of mold, spoilage and corrosion. Silicon dioxide is the primary component of silica gel that is treated into a granular or beaded form. As a desiccant, silica gel has a strong affinity for water molecules. Silica gel is available in packets or loose bulk for various purposes.

Silica gel adsorbs moisture, which in effect, locks in moisture and limits the damaging results of humidity. There are several kinds, colors and sizes of silica gel. The three most commonly available colors for silica gel are white, blue indicating and orange indicating. Indicating silica gels are processed with moisture indicators that change color to show when the product is saturated and needs to be regenerated.

Silica Gel Desiccant; White, Blue or Orange?

White silica gel is a non-indicating silica gel. It means that when the silica gel adsorbs moisture, it will continue to be white. This kind of silica gel is commonly used in packet. White silica gel is a kind of gel you find in the small packets when you buy some products.

Blue silica gel has cobalt chloride, which allows the blue silica gel change its color to pink when it reached its maximized adsorption capacity. Once pink it can be reactivated with heat to dry out the moisture. When it turns blue again, it’s ready to use. Do not use blue silica gel around food since the cobalt chloride is poisonous.

Orange silica gel has methyl violet which is capable of changing from orange to green, or orange to colorless. It is also toxic and potentially poisonous, even though it does have some medicinal merits. Like blue silica gel, once the color changes to indicate maximum adsorption, it can be reactivated with heat to dry out the moisture. When it turns orange again, it’s ready to use.

Any product that will damage with high humidity such as leather, vitamins and electrical goods may have silica gel within the packaging. Drying processes like flower or seed preservation might also include silica get desiccants. Call or email us to find out which is the best silica gel for your humidity problem. 630-980-5205