Silica Gel Desiccant and Montmorillonite Desiccant are currently the two most commonly used desiccants. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages. So which of these two desiccants is more suitable for metal products? We might as well get through a metal corrosion experiment in conclusion.

Test conditions and test methods:

Put four pieces of H62 brass sheet, 40# steel sheet, and LY12 aluminum sheet test pieces with the size of T=50mm×50mm×5mm; polish with 3/0 emery cloth, clean with gasoline, and place it flat in the drying tank after drying ( ф300mm) on the porcelain plate, the lower part of the drying tank contains about 1000ml of water. Put Silica Gel Desiccant or Montmorillonite Desiccant on the test piece in a plum blossom shape, close the lid of the drying cylinder and put it in an oven at 40±1℃, keep it warm for 72h, and then take it out; in the meantime, observe the surface of the metal test piece at regular intervals.

The test results are as follows:

Silica Gel Desiccant 40# steel sheet has heavy rust for more than 72 hours, H62 copper sheet has obvious discoloration for more than 72 hours, and LY12 aluminum sheet has white corrosion points for more than 72 hours.

Montmorillonite Desiccant 40# steel sheet has not changed color for more than 72 hours, H62 copper sheet has not changed color for more than 72 hours, and LY12 aluminum sheet has slight color change for more than 72 hours.

Test Conclusions:

1) Silica Gel Desiccant corrodes the metal significantly after absorbing moisture;
2) Montmorillonite Desiccant is basically non-corrosive to the above metals.