The Role Of Desiccators To Reduce Humidity In Critical Environments

By Mike Buckwalter

Desiccator storage has become critical in more and more manufacturing operations. A look at the costly effects of moisture exposure explains why.

As critical components become smaller and more sophisticated, their susceptibility to moisture damage increases. Once absorbed by sensitive components, water creates a number of potentially disastrous conditions. Even minute traces of oxidation, the most notorious result of moisture exposure, can degrade soldering and other manufacturing processes.

Because water dissolves ionic contaminants, it also alters the conductivity of the material, which in turn can degrade electrical function. Water also combines with other materials, causing harmful chemical reactions that degrade pharmaceutical samples and chemical mixtures.