Learn more about what can be done to prevent and reduce humidity in transit cases.
If you have ever noticed condensation forming on a cold glass of water when it meets warm air, you know the result of humidity. Condensation can be annoying on your glass, but it can be disastrous if it occurs inside your transit case. The amount of water in the air is expressed in terms of humidity. When the air is very humid, there is a lot of moisture in the air. This is why prolonged humid or moist air exposure can lead to corrosion and mold.
An immediate problem, however, is condensation. These water droplets can cause short circuits and damage electronics and circuit boards permanently. Very low humidity can also potentially mean that electrical charges cannot dissipate, and there is an increased risk of electrostatic discharge. Understanding the challenge of humidity and transit cases is one of the responsibilities of custom case designers at Packaging Strategies, Inc. Fortunately, there are a few ways to help prepare for and alleviate humid conditions your case may encounter.
Low and High Humidity Climates
Military equipment and transit cases must especially consider the impact of humidity, both low and high. The low relative humidity is found in desert climates; for instance, 2% humidity has been recorded at Death Valley, California. Relative humidity of 100% is expected in high-temperature regions near large bodies of water, such as the tropics and the Persian Gulf. You can avoid the problems resulting from extremely dry or moist conditions by preparing for the conditions your case and equipment will experience. An appropriately-engineered transit case with seals, humidity indicators, and desiccants can help you manage high-humidity conditions.
Add Humidity Indicators To Transit Cases
Knowing the humidity level in your transit cases or shipping containers can help you take action before damage occurs. There are a few different options for humidity indicators:
- Color-Changing: Cobalt chloride is blue when dry but turns pink in the presence of water. Indicators are available in 10% increments to demonstrate 10% to 90% relative humidity.
- Irreversible or Permanent Indicator: An irreversible indicator shows the maximum humidity experienced inside a container. This can be useful for long-term storage and shipping. Once the color changes, a maximum humidity indicator cannot be reactivated.
- Indicator Card: This card incorporates small circles that change color at different humidities.
Desiccants Manage Moisture In Transit Cases
You can’t prevent every bit of moisture from entering your transit case. It exists in the sealed-in air and the enclosed materials. This is why desiccants can be used to manage humidity in transit cases. Desiccants are drying agents placed in the case to draw moisture out of the air and lock it up, preventing condensation and damage. A good desiccant can take up to 35% of its own weight in water. However, their effectiveness ends when desiccants are “full” or at capacity. By anticipating the likely conditions your case will encounter, it’s possible to determine the appropriate desiccant type and quantity to use for the best results.
DEPEND ON PACKAGING STRATEGIES FOR YOUR CUSTOM PACKAGING NEEDS
Packaging Strategies has assembled a team with over 100 years of experience in design, engineering, development, manufacturing, and sales. We created the Packaging Strategies Design and Technology Center to create and manufacture complete systems integration packages and container solutions of all sizes and materials for our clientele. Many of these clients are federal agencies or in the private sector. No matter what you need to carry, Packaging Strategies is sure to have the right case for the job. You can view our website here, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.