Humidity indicating desiccators are hygroscopic (tendency to absorb moisture from the air) substances that protect against dampness, corrosion and contamination. They're commonly used in packaging and electronic applications such as PCBs (printed circuit boards) and cameras.
How do humidity indicating desiccators work?
Humidity indicating desiccants induce dryness and reduce the amount of moisture present in the air. They incorporate a humidity indicator to show, by changing colour, the degree of water saturation in the desiccant.
The most common type of desiccant is silica gel which may be inserted into a porous packet or plug. With humidity indicator plugs, you can visually inspect the humidity inside a sealed container without opening it.
Desiccator plugs are primarily designed for sealed instruments where space is limited, mechanical boxes and small containers. Both plugs and sachets indicate, as well as control, humidity levels in a container.
What are humidity indicating desiccants used for?
Humidity indicating desiccants have found widespread use in various industries including:
- Food
- Packing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Manufacturing
- Radar instrumentation
- Hydraulic systems
- Metals
- Aerospace
- Electronics