In modern industrial production, logistics transportation, and daily life, humidity control has always been a critical factor affecting product quality and environmental safety. With technological advancements, various moisture-proof and dehumidifying materials continue to emerge. Dehumidifying drying blocks, renowned for their high efficiency, convenience, and eco-friendliness, are increasingly becoming the ideal moisture-proof solution for both industrial and civilian applications. They not only effectively adsorb moisture from the air but also maintain a long-term stable dry environment, ensuring product performance and longevity.
Dehumidifying drying blocks are solid moisture-absorbing materials typically composed of multiple highly hygroscopic inorganic salts (such as calcium chloride, silica gel, active mineral powder, aluminum oxide, etc.). Through physical or chemical moisture-absorption reactions, they capture and lock moisture from the air, achieving dehumidification, mold prevention, and rust protection.
Compared to traditional desiccants (e.g., silica gel packets, molecular sieves), desiccant blocks offer higher moisture absorption capacity, longer duration, dust-free operation, and reusability. They maintain stable moisture absorption even in humid conditions, making them ideal for moisture-sensitive environments like enclosed spaces, storage warehouses, container shipping, and precision equipment packaging.
Common dehumidifying blocks come in block, sheet, or boxed formats. Based on application scenarios, they are categorized as:
- Industrial-grade (for equipment and raw material warehouses)
- Household moisture-proof (for wardrobes, bookshelves, basements, etc.)
- Shipping container-specific (preventing moisture damage during long-distance cargo transport)
- Precision electronics packaging type (for controlling humidity during product storage and transport)
The operation of dehumidifying drying blocks primarily relies on two mechanisms: hygroscopic reactions and physical adsorption.
When ambient humidity is high, the active substances within the drying block (such as calcium chloride) chemically react with water molecules in the air. This reaction forms stable hydrates, gradually trapping moisture within the block's micro-pores, thereby reducing air humidity.
The moisture absorption process occurs in three stages:
- Initial adsorption stage: Surface layers begin capturing airborne moisture.
- Diffusion adsorption stage: Moisture gradually permeates into the material's interior, fully reacting with the desiccant.
- Saturation and moisture-locking stage: Once the desiccant block reaches saturation, a gel-like structure forms internally, effectively trapping absorbed moisture and preventing moisture regain.
Some premium products also employ dual-layer moisture-absorption technology: an outer rapid-absorption layer and an inner moisture-locking layer, significantly extending service life while maintaining stable dehumidification performance.
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Common desiccants include calcium chloride (CaCl₂), magnesium oxide (MgO), and silica gel (SiO₂·nH₂O). Calcium chloride exhibits the strongest moisture absorption capacity, capable of absorbing over three times its own weight in water, making it suitable for high-humidity environments.
Dehumidifying blocks contain no toxic substances and are non-corrosive. They comply with EU RoHS environmental standards, ensuring safe use in packaging for food, pharmaceuticals, and electronic devices.
Compared to standard silica gel desiccants, their moisture absorption efficiency is approximately 5-10 times greater. They maintain strong adsorption capacity even in environments with 90% relative humidity.
Premium desiccant blocks feature a multi-layer leak-proof structure. Upon moisture absorption, they transform into a stable gel form, preventing liquid leakage and ensuring environmental cleanliness.
Businesses can select desiccant blocks in various sizes, weights, and packaging formats—such as pouch-type, tray-type, block-type, or card-type—tailored to product characteristics and diverse application scenarios.
Excessive humidity causes metal products to rust, paper goods to warp, textiles to mold, and electronic components to short-circuit. Desiccant drying blocks rapidly absorb moisture from the air, effectively preventing these issues.
Dehumidifying desiccant blocks used in machinery and raw material storage prevent moisture corrosion, reduce equipment maintenance costs, and ensure consistent raw material quality.
During container shipping, significant day-night temperature fluctuations can cause “container rain,” leading to cargo dampness and mold growth. Container-specific desiccant blocks effectively absorb internal moisture, maintain a dry environment, and safeguard cargo integrity.
For high-tech products like precision instruments, chips, circuit boards, and optical lenses, humidity significantly impacts lifespan and performance. Desiccant blocks stabilize humidity within sealed packaging, preventing oxidation and short-circuit risks.
Household desiccant blocks are commonly used in closets, shoe cabinets, basements, and storage rooms to prevent musty odors in clothing and moisture damage to furniture, keeping indoor air fresh and dry.
Due to their broad applicability, desiccant blocks are widely used across multiple industries and fields:
Includes machining, precision instruments, automotive components, and aerospace equipment to prevent rusting of metal parts during storage or transport.
Suitable for packaging and transporting electronic components, chips, capacitors, circuit boards, LED lighting, etc., to avoid moisture-induced short circuits or performance degradation.
FDA-compliant desiccant blocks maintain dry conditions in pharmaceutical, health supplement, and food packaging to prevent moisture-induced spoilage.
Standard moisture protection for international sea freight. Each 40-foot container typically requires 8–12 desiccant blocks to prevent condensation-induced “container rain.”
Used in damp spaces like residences, basements, and offices to absorb air moisture, improve air quality, and prevent wall mold and floor warping.
Weapons, optical equipment, flight instruments, and other humidity-sensitive items benefit from desiccant blocks maintaining long-term low-humidity environments to ensure stable operation.
Select appropriate block weight based on environmental volume and humidity levels. Generally, allocate 50-100 grams of desiccant per cubic meter of space.
Use blocks in enclosed spaces; otherwise, continuous external moisture ingress will diminish effectiveness.
Replace blocks promptly upon moisture saturation to prevent compromised moisture protection. Some products feature humidity indicator labels—color changes signal saturation.
While non-flammable, desiccant blocks rapidly dissolve upon contact with water. Direct exposure to liquids must be prevented.
Used desiccant blocks can undergo environmentally sound regeneration or harmless disposal, aligning with green manufacturing principles.
Rapid growth in electronics manufacturing, global trade, and precision industries drives increasing demand for humidity control. According to data from the China Packaging Industry Association, the global market for moisture-proof and moisture-absorbing products has exceeded $3.5 billion and is growing at an annual rate of 7%.
Future developments in desiccant blocks will exhibit the following trends:
- Intelligent Monitoring: Integrating humidity sensors with smart labels to enable visual monitoring of moisture absorption status.
- Efficient and Eco-Friendly Material Innovation: Utilizing bio-based or nano-porous materials to enhance moisture absorption rates while ensuring biodegradability.
- Functional integration: Combining multiple capabilities like moisture removal, mold prevention, antibacterial properties, and odor elimination.
- Customized applications: Providing specialized solutions for diverse industries, such as moisture protection for new energy batteries and preservation of aviation equipment.
Despite their compact size, desiccant blocks play an indispensable role across countless sectors. From industrial manufacturing to household use, from precision electronics to international logistics, they silently safeguard products and environments by maintaining dryness and security.
With the rapid advancement of green manufacturing and smart packaging, desiccant blocks continue to innovate and upgrade—becoming more eco-friendly, efficient, and intelligent. Moving forward, they will remain a cornerstone in moisture protection, delivering more stable and cleaner humidity control solutions for modern industry and high-quality living. This ensures that “dry, safe, and clean” environments become the norm.
Shandong Jichanglong Environmental Engineering Co., Ltd.
China Jichanglong specializes in vanadium inhibitors , dehumidification and drying block, calcium hypochlorite disinfectant tablet, polyacrylamide and other products. With over 20 years of experience, we offer quality assurance and wholesale prices.