Opening hcm beads?

CigarNut · 09-10-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pektel

The advice given here has convinced me to not mess with them. Since I don't have them in hand yet, I was unaware of how small the beads are. I was thinking they were like peppercorn sized.

The beads are small. Very small. Closer to grains of salt than peppercorns. They average about .03 inches in size (1 mm is .39 inches.)

Attached is a picture of an HCM bead under an electron microscope:

You can see how porous (spongy-looking) the surface of the beads are -- which is why they are so effective as a humidification device.

SmokeyJoe · 09-10-2010, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

The beads are small. Very small. Closer to grains of salt than peppercorns. They average about .03 inches in size (1 mm is .39 inches.)

Attached is a picture of an HCM bead under an electron microscope:

You can see how porous (spongy-looking) the surface of the beads are -- which is why they are so effective as a humidification device.

Very cool! You are like "Bill Nigh the Science Guy."

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pektel · 09-10-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

The beads are small. Very small. Closer to grains of salt than peppercorns. They average about .03 inches in size (1 mm is .39 inches.)

Attached is a picture of an HCM bead under an electron microscope:

You can see how porous (spongy-looking) the surface of the beads are -- which is why they are so effective as a humidification device.

Thanks for the info! Except I think you mean 1mm is .039 inches. 1cm = .39"

d'am · 09-10-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CigarNut

You can see how porous (spongy-looking) the surface of the beads are -- which is why they are so effective as a humidification device.

I've been using a bag for a few weeks now...65%RH with no change. I just figured it was some sort of black magic. I guess your explanation makes more sense.