Beads cracking?

[Razorhog]

I have some 65% beads that are in tubes. When I take them out of the humi, there are little bead "crumbs" left behind. I don't remember seeing those crumbs when I put the beads in the tubes. Anyone else experience this?

[JPH]

Yes, everyone has....no biggie

Originally Posted by Razorhog

I have some 65% beads that are in tubes. When I take them out of the humi, there are little bead "crumbs" left behind. I don't remember seeing those crumbs when I put the beads in the tubes. Anyone else experience this?

[BroNeilson]

The beads will still work fine, thats why I use the mesh bags from heartfelt, no more mess .

[Lanthor]

Yep they crack.

It will probably take another 15 years before I need to refill the lost pieces.

[Headcrash]

Yeah the bottom of my wine-coolador is covered in them. Clean them up and keep going....no big deal

[tzaddi]

Perhaps the following information will provide some technical reason for the "crumbs".

Here is an excerpt from Steven Weintraub's document titled "Demystifying Silica Gel". This excerpt can be found in section 5.1.B-sub-titled "Adding Moisture"

The direct addition of water through mist spraying or immersion is not recommended, since the high heat of decrepitation causes silica gel beads to crack and fragment. Although silica gel retains its hygroscopic properties, the overall response time of silica gel in a tray will slow down because of denser packing from the mix of large beads and smaller fragments.

Anyone who has experienced the "snowy powder" in one of their humidors knows first hand what this paragraph is referring to. In this same section of Steven Weintraub's document you will find other methods of rehydrating Silica Gel Beads that do not cause this condition.

If you care to download the document in a PDF format I have posted it on one of my web pages. If you are the type of person that finds this "nuts & bolts" stuff interesting you'll love all of this technical data and a bit of history regarding Silica Gel.

http://web.mac.com/tzaddi/iWeb/Corde..._SW_2003-1.pdf

—Richard

Steven Weintraub is a Conservator/Environmental Consultant

[Razorhog]

Excellent info, Thanks!
And thanks to everyone else

Originally Posted by tzaddi

Perhaps the following information will provide some technical reason for the "crumbs".

Here is an excerpt from Steven Weintraub's document titled "Demystifying Silica Gel". This excerpt can be found in section 5.1.B-sub-titled "Adding Moisture"



Anyone who has experienced the "snowy powder" in one of their humidors knows first hand what this paragraph is referring to. In this same section of Steven Weintraub's document you will find other methods of rehydrating Silica Gel Beads that do not cause this condition.

If you care to download the document in a PDF format I have posted it on one of my web pages. If you are the type of person that finds this "nuts & bolts" stuff interesting you'll love all of this technical data and a bit of history regarding Silica Gel.

http://web.mac.com/tzaddi/iWeb/Corde..._SW_2003-1.pdf

—Richard

Steven Weintraub is a Conservator/Environmental Consultant

[RGD]

Look on the positive side - more surface area -




Ron