Silica gel
Description
Amorphous powder or granules of silica. Silica gel is chemically inert, very porous and hygroscopic. It is used as a pollutant sorbent and as a humidity buffering agent. Silica gel absorbs moisture in humid environments and releases water in dry air. Once equilibrated to set moisture level, silica gel will maintain that humidity level in a closed environment. Examples of silica gel products preconditioned as humidity buffers are Art-Sorb®, Arten gel and GORE-TEX® silica tiles. Silica gel that is saturated with water can be dried by heat (110-200 C) and used again. Some brands of commercial silica gel include cobalt chloride as a humidity indicator (blue when dry and pink when moist). Silica gel has also been used as a desiccant in Dri-die cockroach formulation.
Synonyms and Related Terms
amorphous silica; gel de silice (Fr.); Britesorb [PQ Corp.]; Dri-die; Art-Sorb® [Fuji Silysia]; GORE-TEX® silica tiles; Arten gel; Arten tiles
Hazards and Safety
Noncombustible.
Hygroscopic. Contact may cause irritation.
Additional Information
R. Lafontaine, "Silica Gel", Technical Bulletin No. 10, Canadian Conservation Institute, October 1984
Sources Checked for Data in Record
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- Website address 1 Comment: AMOL reCollections Glossary -http://amol.org.au/recollections/7/c/htm