sSORB AW is a Type A white silica gel: synthetically modified silicon dioxide, purified and processed into hard, smooth beads that are white to clear. Inside each bead, a network of narrow, interconnecting pores with a nominal opening of 20 to 30 angstroms gives a large surface area with a strong affinity for water vapor. The beads can adsorb moisture at temperatures as high as 220°F, but they typically perform best near room temperature, about 70 to 90°F, and at high relative humidity, about 60 to 90%. On the product data sheet, the three grades share one specification for type, pore opening, water adsorption capacity, bulk density, and package moisture, and differ in bead size. sSORB AW is the non-indicating grade in Interra Global's silica gel line, which also carries two indicating grades, blue silica gel and yellow (orange) silica gel.
Chemical Formula: SiO₂ · nH₂O
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
sSORB AW is typically used in:
- Compressed air dryers
- Desiccant packets and other packaging that protects products from moisture
- Catalyst carriers
- General industrial moisture control
SIZES AND PACKAGING
- sSORB AW13B, 1 to 3 mm beads
- sSORB AW25B, 2 to 5 mm beads
- sSORB AW48B, 4 to 8 mm beads
sSORB AW ships in 55 lb (25 kg) bags and in super sacks. Other packaging is quoted on request. The same gel is also supplied as white silica gel granules, in four sizes from 0.2 to 6 mm.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can you tell when white silica gel is saturated?
sSORB AW is non-indicating, so it looks the same fresh or spent. Where an operator needs a visible check, a fraction of indicating gel is typically blended into the white gel, or an indicating grade is used on its own: blue silica gel, or the cobalt-free yellow (orange) silica gel.
What is the capacity of white silica gel?
Its capacity rises with relative humidity. The product data sheet sets minimum water adsorption capacities of 10.5% of the gel's weight at 20% relative humidity, 22% at 40%, and 33% at 80%, the same for all three grades. Capacity in service typically depends on the temperature and humidity at the bed.
What is the density of white silica gel?
The product data sheet sets a minimum bulk density of 700 g/L (44 lb/ft³) for sSORB AW, the same for all three bead sizes.