Blue Indicating Silica Gel

About Blue Indicating Silica Gel

Blue silica gel is a desiccant substance used to draw out moisture from its surroundings while giving a distinct visual cue about its saturation degree. It is made up of silicon dioxide (SiO) mixed with trace amounts of cobalt(II) chloride, which imparts the characteristic blue color to the gel in its dry state. Since the silica gel draws in moisture, the cobalt compound induces the beads to shift from blue to pink over a period of time, indicating that the material is getting saturated and needs to be regenerated or replaced. This renders it particularly handy in situations where there needs to be visible observation of moisture levels, including electronics packaging, industrial machinery, and storage containers. Even though very effective and recyclable, blue showing silica gel is toxic because it contains cobalt and cannot be used in direct contact with food, drugs, or cosmetics.