Looking for silica content cat litter

[montmil]

OK. No way I can stop the jokes, so bring 'um...

I read, IIRC, on this site about a cat litter that had enough silica content to work as a desiccant. I'd like to protect some bike and car components from moisture/corrosion/rust problems.

I can buy desiccant at my favorite shootin' iron emporium but first wanted to hear from any feline owners.

Referencing the first line of this post- thanks but no thanks for any offers of slightly used material.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Probably you meant to post this on the "I Love Cats" .com website.
http://www.i-love-cats.com/forums/
I'm sure that there are some feline accicianados who have experienced this problem before.
 [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]

[nhmaf]

Images of Monte as the "crazy cat lady" from the Simpsons are now running through my mind...

[R65Guy]

No catty comments here....

Kitty litter is essentially scented Oil-Dri.  Basically clay... it is cheap, dirt cheap

http://www.oildri.net/Downloads/MSDS1003000GranAbs9_24_09.pdf

[montmil]

...Basically clay... it is cheap, dirt cheap ...

Yes it is.

However the primary component in Oil-Dri is the Bentonite Clay with just a bit of silica. The clay is rather dusty and can only absorb moisture up to 25% of its weight. It begins to release that captured moisture at 120 degrees. My shop's storage cabinets can easily reach that temp in the Texas summer.

Silica gel -a dry solid- absorbs 40% of its weight and can be heated to 300 degrees to cook off the absorbed moisture, then reused.

I did research the litter ingredient labels at a PetCo store and have dropped that idea. What I did locate is a North Carolina company that sells a variety of prepackaged silica gel packets, just like you find in so many electronic and tool cartons. Very economical and free shipping. There's that "F" word, again. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

http://www.silicagelpackets.com/

I've ordered some packages today.

Monte

[R65Guy]

Thanks for the link, the silica gel is indeed what you need.  I knew it was cheap but had never researched it.  I save those little packets whenever I encounter them and toss them in my tool cabinet.  I have never bothered to 'bake' any of them yet as they seem to still work pretty well even after their long ocean voyage.

Another option that is reasonably priced:
http://texastechnologies.com/corrosion-control/packaging/vapor-phase-corrosion-inhibitor-vci-paper.htm?gclid=CJW1qsKIz6cCFYEUKgodFxRmFw
You find lots of auto parts wrapped in the stuff. I save it too. It works great for anything with freshly machined surfaces.  

[tvrla]

Anyone ever try sacraficial anodes? I know, it's something one associates with boats, but I've heard of guys applying the technology to vehicles with success. It just requires attaching some zinc at different spots on the bike. Pennies are mostly zinc these days and ought to work perfectly!

[Barry]

I save those little packets whenever I encounter them and toss them in my tool cabinet.

I save them too as they usually come with any new electronic equipment packaging at work. To save regenerating them in the oven before use I store them in a sealed container otherwise they just absorb atmospheric moisture.

[trips]

My friends wife gets them from work, she's given me a few, they're fairly big, about the size of a ziplock sandwich baggy filled up, I can ask her if she can get me some more, just be the cost of shipping, if you want?