[meteorite-list] WARNING ABOUT Free Dessicant!

From: Ron Hartman <RNHARTMA_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:14:08 2004
Message-ID: <00ad01c30e95$6c5dabe0$6c79908c_at_RHARTMAN1>

Warning about using silica gel in Rikers and free silica gel.

I speak from experience!

Once the bags of silica are exposed to the atmosphere they adsorb
moisture(which is their job) and may no longer be effective. You must be
sure that your silica is thoroughly free of moisture if you want to have it
be effective, unless,of course, you want to reheat it. I would never use
"recycled" silica gel. Its too cheap and my specimens are too valuable to
chance it.

I used to put silica under the cotton padding in Rikers. I found that,
since you can't examine it regularly, or the bottom of your meteorite, the
silica will adsorb all the moisture it can hold, then your specimen will, as
mine did, become a rusty mess on the bottom, unless you want to remove and
inspect it frequently. It doesn't take long for the silica to become
useless in a Riker mount. Rikers are useless for protecting a specimen.
The are not tight,and actually trap moisture. The lack of circulation then
accelerates rusting. That is why I use only membrane boxes (yes, another
plug, but that is why I like them!)

Ron Hartman

----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Olsen" <debfred_at_worldnet.att.net>
To: "TMS/TNS/HRC" <musnat_at_alaska.net>; <meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2003 9:45 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Free Dessicant!


> Jeanne,
> You are just doing a different it. Apples versus Oranges so to speak.
> Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor, VCI, products are papers and plastics that
> release volatile chemicals that adhere to iron and forms a protective
> molecular layer on the surface of the metal. This protective layer
prevents
> moisture, salt , dirt, oxygen, and other materials from depositing on the
> metal and causing corrosion. I have seen demonstrations where VCI treated
> metal is submerged under water for weeks and there was no corrosion, while
> an identical untreated piece of iron is severally rusted.
> It wouldn't hurt to both, but if I were only going to do one, I think the
> VCI will be far more effective.
> Regards, Fred
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: TMS/TNS/HRC <musnat_at_alaska.net>
> To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2003 8:56 AM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] Free Dessicant!
>
>
> > I can do cheaper! Shoe stores generally have TONS of little packets of
> > dessicant that they will part with for nothing! I tuck a packet behind
> the
> > padding in all my Riker mounts, just in case. Seems to work great, but
> then
> > again Alaska is usually pretty dry.
> >
> > Jeanne Devon
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > Hi Bob,
> > >
> > > I just saw a brand of kitty litter that was almost totally silica gel.
I
> > > think it was about $10 a bag. I don't remember the poundage of the
bag,
> > but
> > > I suspect it was at least 10 pounds. There was nothing on the bag
> > indicating
> > > it was anything more than silica gel.
> > >
> > > Anyone know more about this? It could be the cheapest source of
> desiccant
> > on
> > > the planet.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > >
> > > Martin
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On 4/27/03 8:06 PM, "Maccers531_at_aol.com" <Maccers531@aol.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Can someone please provide me with a source of superior dessicant
> > products
> > > > that I may purchase suitable for use in large Riker boxes? I store
> stone
> > > > meteorites and irons in them.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > > Bob
> > > >
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Received on Tue 29 Apr 2003 05:22:21 PM PDT