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1/23/2009 4:23:37 PM EDT
I store my guns and ammo in a safe with numerous dessicant packs.  Additionally, I have a humidity sensor (China-mart, 10 bucks) that has the ability to show hi/low humidity readings.  

To date, I have not seen a reading below 44% humidity..even if I don't open the safe for days on end.

Are the dessicant packs actually doing any good?  

For what it's worth, there are approximately 5 pounds of it in the safe, so I'm pretty sure I have enough.  Also, it is in different containers (open, paper bag, panty-hose {yup}, etc) but the humidity level doesn't seem to be affected by the amount or container-type of dessicant that I put in there.
1/23/2009 9:10:25 PM EDT
[#1]
From https://www.usaemergencysupply.com/information_center/food_storage_faq/types_of_desiccants.htm





SILICA GEL: The most commonly known and used desiccant
is silica gel which is a form of silica dioxide (SiO2), a naturally
occurring mineral. It will work from below freezing to past the boiling
point of water, but performs best at room temperatures (70-90° F) and
high humidity (60-90%). Its performance begins to drop off over 100° F,
but will continue to work until approximately 220° F. It will lower the
relative humidity in a container to around 40% at any temperature in
its range until it is saturated. Silica gel will absorb up to 40% of
its weight in moisture.

 
1/24/2009 5:06:43 AM EDT
[#2]
Thanks for the info.  It never dawned on me to research the properties of it....
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