Silica Gel

High-quality silica gel for various applications such as drying flowers, electronics (such as telephones) and dry storage of filaments from 3D printers. The silica gel is supplied in packaging with loose coarse grains and very fine grains (silica gel sand). Silica gel is reusable and available in packaging of 1 kg, 2 kg and 8 kg. We supply the silica gel in a sealable packaging, so that you can start drying immediately.

Drying flowers

Silica gel is by far the most popular method for drying flowers. Mainly because the colour of the flower is affected as little as possible. Drying flowers with silica gel therefore gives more beautiful colours than drying with, for example, chinchilla sand. So do you want to cast flowers in epoxy? Then first dry your flowers using Silica gel sand. The silica gel will quickly extract the moisture from the flowers, allowing them to retain their shape and colour without withering or decaying. Examples of flowers that can be dried very well with silica gel are wild violets, daisies, daffodils, zinnias and geraniums. Of course you can also dry all other flowers with silica gel from Polyestershoppen.

Silicagel for 3D-printers

Did you know that you can also use silica gel to maintain your 3D printer? With the coarse silica granules, you ensure that moisture is proactively drained, so that the filament of the 3D printer remains in top condition. So store your 3D print filament in a closed container filled with silica gel granules.

What is the difference between Silica Gel granules and Silica Gel sand?

The difference between silica gel granules and Silica gel sand is mainly in the size of the granules. Silica gel sand has very fine granules of 0.2-0.8 mm, which makes it ideal for drying flowers. Because the granules are so fine, they do not damage the petals. With coarser silica gel granules, small imprints can occur in delicate flowers. The disadvantage of the fine granules, however, is that they are sometimes difficult to remove from the flowers, for which you often need a brush.

Silica gel granules, with a granule size of 0.5-1.5 mm, are better suited for applications such as drying electronics, storing 3D printing filaments and safely storing old photos and documents.

How to dry flowers with Silica gel

1. Spread a 2-3 cm layer of silica gel in a container with an airtight lid (you can also use the bucket).
2. Place the flowers, petals or leaves on the silica gel in such a way that they do not cover each other.
3. Scoop the silica gel around the flowers. Do this very carefully so you don't damage or bruise the flowers. Cover the flowers until they are completely covered (with a deep bucket and enough Silica Gel, you can make several layers of flowers).
4. Close the bucket or container and let the flowers dry. The drying time of the flowers varies and you can check the flowers after two or three days. 
5. When the flowers feel paper-like, they can be taken out. You can remove the flowers from the container by scooping them out with a spoon, for example.

Do you want to reuse silica gel? You can easily it by removing the water from the product using an oven. Place the silica gel on baking paper or aluminum foil in a preheated oven (80°C). Place the used silica gel spread out on a baking tray in the oven for about 30 minutes.

Casting dried flowers in epoxy

In the video below, Leen shows you how to cast your own dried flowers in epoxy. You can also find the tutorial with all the steps in our information article: DIY | Casting flowers in epoxy.

Packaging

• 1 kg, 2 kg, 7 kg
• Grain size:
  • 0.2 - 0.8 mm (silica gel sand)
  • 0.5 - 1.5 mm (silica gel grit)