[TheForge] Keeping things dry (was: Gorilla Glue)

[Bruce Freeman]

In a laboratories, we use dessicants to keep things dry.   Dessicants
are available commercially.  Silica gel with cobalt indicator (blue,
turns pink when wet) is available in crafts stores for drying flowers,
and is commonly used to keep electronics dry during shipping. 
"Drierite" is anhydrous calcium sulfate (plaster of paris) in pellet
form. Molecular sieve is a third type of dessicant, but less commonly
available out of the laboratory.   (Plaster of paris will work, but is
messy.  Portland cement will work, but is messy and caustic.  If powders
like these are used in thick layers, the bottom of the layer may never
do any good, as the top of the layer is in the way.  Pelletized
materials are best.)

If you find you have things to keep dry that you need rarely (i.e., you
won't be opening the container frequently) you might set up a dessicator
for your stuff.  Get an air-tight container of appropriate size and put
dessicant in the bottom, preferably covered with a filter paper (like
for coffee-making).  Any air-tight container will do, but having a clear
container or one with a window is useful.  Common air-tight containers
include wide-mouth mason jars and some "Tupperware"-type plastic food
containers. 

Hope this helps.

Bruce 

>>> sincla at planet.eon.net 6/17/2004 11:12:56 PM >>>
<snip>

Don't buy more than you can use in a year since it will go bad as it
absorbs
moisture from the air.  It may go bad faster if you are in a humid
area.  I
write the date on the bottle when I open it since I don't want to use
outdated glue.  <snip>