Humidity Indicator Cards (HICs) are essential components in Moisture Barrier Packaging, offering a straightforward and reliable visual indication of relative humidity levels within sealed packages or environments. These small, chemically impregnated paper instruments are designed to monitor humidity levels, ranging from 5% to 95% based on specific application requirements. HICs visually demonstrate the humidity level, alerting users to replace desiccant bags and inspect products for potential damage, ensuring effective moisture control and protection.

Reversible Humidity Indicator Cards

The Clariant Colton Site produces a color-change relative humidity indicator featuring shades of blue, lavender, and pink. We house these indicators in metal cans sealed with a double-friction plug to ensure air-tightness. Before packaging, the indicator cards undergo drying to minimize residual moisture, and each can include a desiccant packet for preservation. While we seal the cards, it’s unnecessary because they are fully reversible and designed to monitor relative humidity within packages continuously. The indicator spots change color from blue to pink, and vice versa, as humidity levels fluctuate, maintaining their effectiveness throughout.

Reading the reversible humidity indicator cards is relatively simple. The blue color means that the relative humidity is lower than what the spot is designed to indicate. Example: 40% relative humidity card will be pink if the RH is higher than 40%, Lavender if the RH is 40%, and blue if the RH is below 40%. The reading is still straightforward on a multiple-spot card. The spot that is lavender in color is the current relative humidity. Example: a 20, 30, 40% RH card if the 30% spot is lavender, the relative humidity is 30%. The 20% spot will be pink, and the 40% spot is blue. If all spots on a multiple-spot card are blue, the RH is lower than the lowest percentage indicated. If all the spots on the card are pink, the RH is greater than the percentage stated on the card.

Cobalt Dichloride Free Humidity Indicator Cards

Cobalt Dichloride Free Humidity Indicator Cards cater to the electronics and semiconductor sectors, offering a humidity indicator (HI) card devoid of Cobalt Dichloride (CoCl2) while meeting stringent international JEDEC standards for accuracy. These cards ensure compliance with JEDEC standard J-STD-033B and European Chemical Bureau (ECB) REACH directives by eliminating Cobalt Dichloride, a regulated chemical. Many companies are adopting Cobalt Dichloride Free humidity indicator cards like the Humitector CDF, which guarantees reliable color-change accuracy and exceeds ECB regulations.

Humidity Indicator Plugs

Humidity indicator plugs are designed to indicate the relative humidity level within a sealed container without users having to open it. Desiccator plugs both indicate and control humidity levels within the container. These plugs work much like humidity indicator cards but can be screwed into the outside walls of sealed containers.  Made of aluminum, brass, or stainless steel, they feature large, clear viewing windows for easy reading of humidity levels within the container. In the case of desiccator plugs, a desiccant tube extends from the indicator into the container to keep products dry. Customers should use these plugs because some store sensitive goods in containers that either should not or cannot be opened until use. By installing humidity indicators or desiccator plugs into the walls of these containers, users can ensure that goods are housed at safe humidity levels without exposing them to external elements while they check their humidity levels.

Humidity indicator and desiccator plugs are available in various sizes and configurations, detecting anywhere from 5 to 95 percent relative humidity. Plugs are compatible with rigid-wall equipment, electrical housings, and flexible barriers. Desiccator plugs work for small containers, mechanical boxes, or sealed instruments with limited space. Plugs are adaptable to virtually all applications for Method II packaging of Mil-Std-2073-1D Method 50 and AS26860 aerospace specifications. Compact plugs are leak-resistant, temperature-proof, and withstand shock and vibration.

Humidity Indicator products are crucial for Moisture Barrier Packaging, indicating relative humidity levels in sealed environments. These paper instruments are chemically treated to monitor humidity and tailor to specific needs. HICs visually show humidity levels, prompting users to replace desiccants and check products for moisture damage, ensuring robust moisture management and safeguarding packaged items. 

You can find more information about all of these humidity indicator options here! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@texastechnologies.com or call us at 800-858-1379!