About Us
TANKE specializes in the production and distribution of high-quality activatedactivated carbon and desiccants……
Construction Industry Desiccant
Construction industry desiccants may be considered Industrial Moisture Control Products or Construction Chemicals. Desiccants are hygroscopic materials that absorb and retain moisture vapor as it occurs in building environments, packaging, and shipping materials. They perform critical functions by speeding up the curing of concrete (dry shake applications), preventing corrosion of metal elements while stored or transported, minimizing humidity damage to sensitive building materials (gypsum, insulation, electronics), and mitigating mold and mildew in the enclosures or shipping containers that are prevalent in construction logistics.
The fundamental types of desiccants in the construction industry comprised: Silica Gel (reusable and versatile); Clay Desiccants (Montmorillonite, bulk cost efficiency); and Calcium Chloride based desiccants (high capacity for a wet environment). The function of desiccants in construction is to protect construction materials and minimize project risk from moisture-induced failures inclusive of efflorescence or drama to underlying cause strength, thus preserving the quality of goods from the production process through the supply chain. These functions solidify their role as components of Building Preservation Solutions and Material Protection.
Industry Challenges
Material Compatibility & Safety
- Some desiccants, such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, are highly corrosive. If the packaging of these materials should fail, then risk to metal components or electronic systems that may be in the construction materials exists. Clays (such as montmorillonite and attapulgite) can potentially create fine dusts that may contaminate sensitive locations. Protocols for handling desiccants need to be enforced, because they have the potential to chemically react or contribute to less than optimal performance of another adjacent material.
Environmental & Waste Concerns
- Non-recyclable desiccants (e.g., single-use silica gel, chlorides salts) can create major waste streams on big construction sites. Chloride desiccants can contaminate soil/water if disposed of improperly. Fiber desiccants can be biodegradable, yet they still need to overcome significant cost and scaling challenges when used at a heavy industrial scale.
Performance Variability
- Extreme or inconsistent humidity levels at construction sites can create challenges for moisture-holding capacity. Attapulgite and clays lose their effectiveness when humidity is elevated because of their particulate nature; desiccants based on salts or insoluble salts (calcium/magnesium chloride, etc) may reach oversaturation and leak. Humidity control needs to be site specific and individualized; this creates a problem when trying to standardize the solution.
Logistics & Handling
- Calcium chloride is a high absorption; dense and heavy desiccant, which increases shipping costs. Fragile fiber or silica gel units are potential candidates for freight damage. On-site storage must protect moisture desiccants like magnesium chloride, which could be activated before it is utilized.
Why Choose Our Desiccants
Better Material Compatibility
Our silica gel, fiber and clay (montmorillonite, attapulgite) formulations are designed to lessen corrosion potential and allow for safe use on sensitive metals and electronics and in construction applications.
Improved Performance Stability
We have calcium chloride and magnesium chloride products developed to still be optimally efficient in absorption across the broad humidity swings typical of construction sites, which helps to render materials less likely to leak and more saturated.
Improved Environmental Profile
Our emphasis includes newer fiber technology and stabilized salt blends, providing excellent moisture control while static materials lessen environmental impact and reduce long-term waste to the site.
Assured Effectiveness & Safety
We strictly handle materials and apply all material quality controls, ensuring consistent results to safety, both of which are paramount in high risk construction settings where multiple materials are in play.
Industry Specific Customization
Product forms (e.g., strength, packaging, activation) and material blends are adapted for specific scenarios (e.g., concrete acceleration, gypsum protection, containerized shipping) all with the ultimate goal to make the product most effective for each unique requirement.
Usage
Concrete Curing & Flooring Systems
Usage Overview
Calcium chloride or magnesium chloride desiccants are applied as dry-shake treatments or incorporated into liquid hardeners to accelerate moisture evaporation during concrete pouring and finishing.
Key Advantages
- Calcium chloride/magnesium chloride: Significantly speeds up curing time in cold/damp conditions.
- Magnesium chloride: Less corrosive to reinforcement steel compared to calcium salts.
- Improves final concrete density and surface abrasion resistance.
- Reduces risk of dusting and surface defects (scaling).
Structural Steel & Metal Component Protection (Storage/Transit)
Usage Overview
Silica gel, fiber desiccants, or montmorillonite clay packets are placed alongside steel beams, rebar bundles, or metal fixtures within sealed wraps or shipping containers.
Key Advantages
- Silica gel/Fiber: Chemically inert, eliminating corrosion risk to metals
- Fiber: Tear-resistant and low-dust, ideal for wrapping delicate surfaces
- Protects against moisture warping, mold growth, and loss of structural integrity
- Maintains product dimensional stability before installation
Pre-fabricated Building Unit & Containerized Shipping
Usage Overview
High-capacity calcium chloride units or montmorillonite bags are suspended within sealed prefab modules or shipping containers transporting building components.
Key Advantages
- Calcium chloride: Unmatched absorption capacity in very high-humidity environments (e.g., sea voyages)
- Montmorillonite: Economical solution for large-volume protection
- Prevents condensation ("container rain") and resultant water damage
- Safeguards finishes, integrated electronics, and porous materials within enclosed spaces
Electrical Equipment & Control Panels (On-site Installation)
Usage Overview
Silica gel canisters (sometimes with indicator) or fiber desiccants are installed inside junction boxes, switchgear, or control panels at construction sites.
Key Advantages
- Silica gel: Non-conductive and physically stable, critical near live components
- Indicator variants visually signal saturation status.
- Fiber: Flexible fit into confined electrical enclosures
- Prevents short circuits, corrosion of contacts, and sensor malfunction due to ambient moisture
Bulk Material Storage (Cements, Aggregates)
Usage Overview
Attapulgite clay or montmorillonite is used in large bulk bags or liners within storage silos or hoppers to protect hygroscopic powders.
Key Advantages
- Attapulgite: Maintains performance stability even at elevated temperatures near equipment.
- Natural clay (Attapulgite/Montmorillonite): Low cost for large-scale application
- Minimal dust release compared to some alternatives
- Prevents caking and hardening of powders during storage
FAQ
Packaging & Transportation Desiccant
Silica gel desiccants are necessary to protect products in transit and storage. Silica gel desiccants are packaged in breathable sachets or canisters, and manage humidity in shipping containers, cartons, and crates. Silica gel absorbs moisture in the ambient air, and prevents condensation, mold, metal corrosion, and damage to moisture sensitive materials. Silica gel is perfect for electronics, machinery, art, and paper products, to ensure items arrive in the right condition no matter what climate change may have occurred during the logistics of global transport.
Electronics Industry
Silica gel is well known for its moisture control properties in electronic manufacturing and storage. Proper protection of sensitive components is critical, especially in packaging of items such as circuit boards, semiconductors, or optical devices. By using silica gel in sealed packages, or sealed cabinets, electronics are kept in low-humidity environments. This reduces the risks of unforeseen damage to components from oxidation, electrical shorts, and performance failures of any kind. The properties of silica gel, non-corrosive, dust-free, and safe for direct contact with delicates parts, ensures safe shipping and handling from factoryels in an unopened condition.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Silica gel provides vital moisture prevention in medicine bottles, diagnostic kits and as a component of medical device packaging. Silica gel satisfies FDA and pharmacopeia requirements and protects tablets, capsules, and laboratory reagents from both moisture-driven degradation and elevated moisture levels. Importantly, silica gel acts to stabilize humidity levels in sealed environments extending shelf-life, sterility, and therapeutic effectiveness or viability. Silica gel packets not only work well to smooth out humidity changes, but they are also transparent which allows a visual inspection. Furthermore, cobalt-free silica gel packets pose no toxicity issues in deliberately sensitive applications.
Food Industry
Silica gel provides vital moisture prevention in medicine bottles, diagnostic kits and as a component of medical device packaging. Silica gel satisfies FDA and pharmacopeia requirements and protects tablets, capsules, and laboratory reagents from both moisture-driven degradation and elevated moisture levels. Importantly, silica gel acts to stabilize humidity levels in sealed environments extending shelf-life, sterility, and therapeutic effectiveness or viability. Silica gel packets not only work well to smooth out humidity changes, but they are also transparent which allows a visual inspection. Furthermore, cobalt-free silica gel packets pose no toxicity issues in deliberately sensitive applications.
