Silica gel powder has a variety of unique properties that make it widely used in many industries. The following are the main characteristics of silica gel powder:
1. Strong hygroscopicity: The surface of silica gel powder has a large number of tiny pores, allowing it to effectively absorb moisture or other gases. Its ability to absorb moisture is one of its most notable properties, making it widely used in drying and moisture-proofing applications.
2. Chemical stability: Silica gel powder is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and has very stable chemical properties. Under normal temperature and pressure, silica gel hardly reacts with water, acid, alkali and most chemical substances. It does not react chemically with oils, gases and most organic solvents, so it is often used in environments where high chemical stability is required.
3. Non-toxic and odorless: Silica gel powder is usually colorless, odorless and non-toxic, so it can be safely used in food, medicine, cosmetics and other fields. It also does not have any harmful effects on human health.
4. High specific surface area: The specific surface area of silica gel powder is very large, which means that its surface area per unit mass is very broad. This allows it to absorb large amounts of moisture, gas or other substances.
5. Pore structure: Silica gel powder has a high degree of pore structure, which is divided into micropores, mesopores and macropores. Depending on the size of the pores, molecules of different sizes can be selectively adsorbed. This porous structure makes it widely used in molecular sieves, adsorbents and desiccants.
6. High temperature resistance: Silica gel powder has good high temperature resistance. It does not break down or lose its properties in high temperature environments, so it can be used in high temperature applications.
7. Renewability: Silica gel powder has good reproducibility. It can remove adsorbed moisture or gas by heating and restore its adsorption capacity, so it can be used repeatedly in many applications.
8. Mechanical strength: Silica gel powder usually has good mechanical strength and can withstand a certain amount of pressure without cracking or disintegrating. This allows it to exhibit good durability in some industrial applications, especially in catalysis and adsorption processes.
9. Low expansion and shrinkage: The expansion or shrinkage of silica gel powder is very small. Even during the process of moisture absorption or water loss, its volume change is relatively stable, so it will not cause pressure on containers or equipment during use. .
10. Transparency: Silica gel powder is generally colorless or transparent, with a white or colorless appearance, which makes it ideal in some applications that require beautiful appearance or colorless drying.
11. Non-conductive: Silica gel powder is an electrically insulating material and is not conductive, which makes it advantageous in electronic products, semiconductors and other applications with high electrical requirements.
12. Various forms: Silica gel powder can be processed through different processes according to needs, showing different particle sizes and shapes, and can be modified to add specific properties.
In short, the various properties of silica gel powder make it play an irreplaceable role in modern industry and daily life.
