Silica Gel- Blue, White (Beads & Crystals)

Silica Gel- Blue, White (Beads & Crystals)

What is Silica Gel?

Silica gel is a granular, porous form of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) that is synthetically produced. Despite its name, it is not a liquid but a solid, typically found in the form of hard, translucent beads or granules. Silica gel has an exceptional ability to absorb moisture due to its high surface area and numerous tiny pores that trap water molecules.

Silica Gel is widely used in many products since moisture and condensation encourage mold growth, spoilage, and may damage goods. It prevents dampness, resists rust, and is ideal for protecting instruments, meters, weapons, cartridges, electronic components, household apparatus, spare parts, leather goods, pharmaceuticals, food, textiles, and other packed items.

Silica gel is non-toxic, reusable, and can absorb a significant amount of moisture relative to its weight, making it highly effective for preserving items from dampness, mold, or corrosion.

Silica Gel: Granular & Beads

Granular silica gels are the materials of choice for static drying applications where attrition resistance and particle irregularities are less critical. These gels combine the advantageous adsorption properties of silica gel with high particle stability due to their specific hardness (4-5 on the Mohs scale). Granular silica gels are available in various particle sizes ranging from 0.5 mm to 12 mm.

Beaded Silica Gels are characterized by the high purity and the specific adsorption/ regeneration properties of the silica gel and by superior particle integrity due to the combination of a beaded particle shape and the specific hardness of silica gel (4-5 on Moh scale). This heavy density Silica Gel is distinguished by its extremely fine pores which account for its high adsorption capacity over a wide range of humidity. Silica gel beads are available in various particle sizes between 0.5 and 8.0 mm.

Silica Gel Types: Indicating & Non Indicating

Type A Silica Gel is broadly divided into two types - Indicating & Non Indicating.

White Silica Gel (Non-Indicating)

Silica Gel White is known as Non-Indicating Silica Gel as it remains unchanged in appearance on adsorbing moisture. White Silica Gel is in the form of ivory-white semi-transparent round vitreous body or crystals with good absorption capacity but we cannot determine whether Silica gel has completely absorbed moisture or not. It has been confirmed that White Silica Gel causes no odor, toxin and pollution and is one of the most widely used damp proof agent in the world.

Description	Silica Gel White (Non-Indicating Type)
Shape / Sizes	Irregular or Spherical
Assay (as SiO2 )	Min 98%
pH	4-8
Bulk Density (g/ml)	0.55 - 0.65
Loss on Drying (%)	< 6
Adsorption Capacity @ 100% humidity	38-40 wt%
Friability	99.5
Chloride (as NaCl)	Max 0.5%
Sulfates (as Na2 SO4 )	Max 0.5%
Particle Beads size (mm)	2-5 mm, 3-5 mm, 5-8 mm
Particle Crystals size (mesh)	1-3 mesh, 3-4 mesh, 3-8 mesh, 5-8 mesh

Note : All the parameters to be customized as per the client requirement

Blue Silica Gel (Indicating)

Blue Silica Gel is the Self Indicating Silica Gel as it is prepared by impregnating White Silica gel with Cobalt Chloride present in a concentration of 0.5 to 1% weight for weight, an indicator, which provides the Blue color appearance. Self - Indicating Blue Silica Gel will adsorb moisture in exactly the same way as standard non-indicating (white) silica gel but will actually indicate when they are becoming saturated by changing their colour from blue to pink thus indicating that it has adsorbed moisture and needs to be reactivated.

Parameters	Silica Gel Blue Beads
Physical Properties
Shape	Spherical Beads
Color	Blue
Size In mm	2-4 , 3-5, 5-8
Bulk Density Kg/m3	700-850
Pore Volume cc/gm	0.25-0.40
Attrition Loss %	< 0.2
Adsorption Capacity @ 25° C % 40 % RH 60% RH 80% RH	16-18 23-30 36-38
Crushing Strength N	80-150
Loss On Drying %	< 3
Chemical Properties
SiO2Min %	97
Cobalt as Cobalt Chloride %	Max 0.5
Chloride as Nacl %	Max 0.4

Note : All the parameters to be customized as per the client requirement

Applications of Silica Gel

Medicines	Cargo holds on RVs, boats, etc
Chemicals	Collectibles (stamps, coins, etc.)
Surgical Instruments	Computer
Electrical Instruments	Metal and machine parts
Automobile Industry	Industrial equipment
Storage of Documents	Pharmaceuticals and vitamins Electronics
Pharmaceutical	Military instruments
Electronics Instruments	Circuit Boards
Garments	Documents
Leather	Instruments
Food Products	Photographic equipment and film
Containers	Foodstuffs
Toolboxes	Batteries
Storage containers	Pet foods
Safes and vaults	Optical devices
Silver drawer	Medical equipment
Firearms	Seeds
Photos	Jewellery
Stored vehicles