Silica Gel Definition

Silica Gel Definition

Silica gel is an amorphous kind of silicon oxide, that is synthetically created within the form of hard irregular granules (having the looks of crystals) or hard regular beads. A microporous structure of interlocking cavities offers an awfully high surface area (800 sq. meters per gram).

It is this structure that produces silica gel a high capability drier. Water molecules adhere to the desiccant's surface because it exhibits a lower vapor pressure than the surrounding air. When the equilibrium of equal pressure is reached, no more adsorption occurs. Thus the higher the humidness of the encircling air, the greater the amount of water that is adsorbed before equilibrium is reached.

It is in these higher humidness conditions (above 500th Relative Humidity) that hold on or in-transit things are liable to damage. The beauty of silica gel is that the physical adsorption of vapor into its internal pores.

There is no chemical process, no by-products or side effects. Even once saturated with vapor, silica gel still has the appearance of a dry product, its shape unchanged. Silica Gel is one of the oldest and most popular desiccants and adsorbent used for a wide number of industrial and consumer applications.

Silica Gel may be an extremely activated adsorbent, furnished in a wide range of mesh sizes to suit various industrial applications. It is non-corrosive, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and chemicals inert. It is an extremely porous kind of oxide, with an extremely large internal surface area.

The desiccants do not undergo any chemical reaction during adsorption and do not form any by-products. It is non-deliquescent and can not modify its size or form. Even once the colloid is water-saturated, it remains dry and free-flowing. We can re-use these silica gel once they reached their maximum absorption level by re-heating it in an oven. But for industrial uses, it is not possible to re-heat a high volume of silica gels.