The Chemical in Gel Ice Packs

Ice packs are renowned for their ability to absorb substantial amounts of heat due to the high latent heat of fusion of water. They are commonly used to:

• Keep food cool in portable coolers
• Serve as cold compresses to alleviate the pain of minor injuries
• Maintain the temperature of products during transport in insulated shipping containers

There are two main types of cold packs: ice packs and instant ice packs. Instant ice packs are often preferred because they do not spill easily or cause contamination if the container breaks.

What is the Chemical in Instant Ice Packs?

The chemical used in instant ice packs is called sodium polyacrylate. This remarkable polymer can absorb hundreds of times its weight in water. Sodium polyacrylate is also widely used in common hygiene products such as paper diapers and sanitary towels, making it a non-toxic, harmless, and soluble material.

How to Judge the Quality of Sodium Polyacrylate

To evaluate the quality of sodium polyacrylate in ice packs, consider the following parameters:

1. Absorption: The amount of liquid the polymer can absorb.
2. Absorbent Rate: How quickly the polymer absorbs liquid.
3. Absorption Under Pressure and Retention Capacity After Centrifugation: Ensures that the gel effectively locks in water.
4. Particle Size Distribution: The consistency of the polymer particles.

About SAPGELS

As a professional manufacturer of gel ice pack contents, SAPGELS offers high-quality sodium polyacrylate. For more details about our products, please contact our support team!