A product's quality and shelf life are critical, particularly in the healthcare industry. Medications on supermarket shelves or dispensed by a doctor should not weaken or lose effectiveness while waiting to be used. Often firms apply a desiccant to pharmaceuticals, foods, vitamins, and medical items like fertility tests to control moisture and preserve the product's potency over time. Desiccants come in a variety of forms, but the two most popular in the healthcare industry are molecular sieve and silica gel.
Moisture-removing desiccants including molecular sieve and silica gel help prevent materials from rotting. The two desiccants, though, are somewhat distinct.
Silica gel is a kind of silica that is
Silica gel is a kind of silica that has been processed into granules or beads. Silica gel acts like a sponge, absorbing moisture from its many pores. It has the ability to consume up to 40% of its body weight in liquids. This content is FDA-approved for food and drug packaging, in addition to its excellent moisture-removal capabilities.
The aluminosilicate molecule sieve collects water vapor from the air by its three-dimensional form. A molecular sieve is a quick-drying agent that traps moisture more effectively and quickly than silica gel. This substance is suitable for low-humidity materials and stays stable as temperatures increase.
PROPERTIES | MOLECULAR SIEVE | SILICA GEL |
Rate of adsorption (moisture capture) | EXCELLENT | GOOD |
Functionality in high temperatures | EXCELLENT | FAIR |
Capacity at low Relative Humidity (RH) | EXCELLENT | POOR |
Although the differences between molecular sieve and silica gel are explained above, there are several other considerations to consider when choosing a desiccant for your product. Add the following additional considerations when making a decision:
Adding a desiccant to a product
Both molecular sieve and silica gel are simple to incorporate into a substance. Desiccants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from a PACKET or CANISTER to an ADHESIVE or Even OTHER FORMATS.
Are you still undecided between molecular sieve and silica gel?
FOR DESICCANT ADVICE, CONTACT CHEMBRO PACKAGING & BHAVNIL CHEMICALS PRIVATE LIMITED.
