3A Molecular Sieve
Packing and typical duty
Before you order
- Compare this grade with the others — pore size, what it adsorbs and the regeneration temperature
- Packing, lead time and Incoterms — 25 kg bags, drums or big bags, 1,000 kg minimum
- Request a sample — 0.5–1 kg from production with its certificate of analysis
3A Molecular Sieve
3A molecular sieve is the potassium-exchanged form of zeolite type A. Its 3 Å pore opening admits water while excluding most larger hydrocarbons, which limits co-adsorption in organic streams. It is the standard desiccant for sealed insulating glass units and for drying ethanol, methanol, refrigerants and unsaturated hydrocarbon streams such as propylene and cracked gas.
Specification (typical values)
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Type | 3A (potassium-exchanged type A) |
| Nominal pore opening | 3 Å |
| Form | Spheres / pellets |
| Typical sizes | Spheres 1.6–2.5 mm, 3.0–5.0 mm; pellets 1/16" (1.58 mm), 1/8" (3.17 mm) |
| Bulk density | ≥0.68 g/ml (typical 0.68–0.75) |
| Static water adsorption | ≥20 wt% (typical 20–21.5) |
| Crush strength | ≥25 N (1.6–2.5 mm); ≥60–80 N (3.0–5.0 mm) |
| Attrition loss | ≤0.2 wt% |
| Moisture as packed | ≤1.5 wt% |
| Ethylene adsorption | ≤3 mg/g |
Typical values for this grade, taken from commonly published industry data and the standard shown below. The values actually delivered are those measured on your lot and reported on its certificate of analysis.
Reference standard: GB/T 10504-2017
Typical applications
Insulating Glass
Removes residual moisture from the sealed cavity and helps limit internal fogging.
Industrial Drying
Solvents, refrigerants, ethanol and methanol, and closed or packaged systems.
Cracked Gas
Ethylene, propylene, butadiene and acetylene streams where co-adsorption must be limited.
Packing
25 kg carton or paper-plastic composite bag with moisture-barrier liner; 130–150 kg sealed steel drum; 750–1,000 kg big bag.
Minimum order 1,000 kg per grade. Private-label packing and documents in the buyer’s name are available for distributors.
Documents
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS) — typical specification for this grade — Download PDF
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — in the format required by the destination market — Download PDF
- Certificate of Analysis — issued per lot, from the measured batch results
Factory-direct supply
Manufactured at our own plant in Zhengzhou, Henan
6,000 tonnes of annual capacity. We test every lot before release and ship with a lot-specific COA. Buyers may audit the plant or appoint their own inspector.
How this grade ships
Frequently asked questions
Why is 3A used in insulating glass instead of 4A?
In a sealed glazing unit the cavity volume is fixed. 4A can co-adsorb nitrogen and other molecules from the cavity gas, which changes the pressure inside the unit and can make the glass deflect. 3A adsorbs water and excludes those molecules.
Can 3A be regenerated?
Yes. Thermal-swing regeneration with dry purge gas at roughly 200–350 °C, followed by cooling with dry gas before the bed returns to service.
What is the minimum order and packing?
1,000 kg per grade, packed in 25 kg cartons or bags, 130–150 kg steel drums or 750–1,000 kg big bags. Private-label packing is available for distributors.
Where this grade is used
- Insulating glass — 3A keeps nitrogen out of the sealed unit, which is why the glass industry specifies it over 4A
- Solvent and ethanol drying — dehydrates ethanol, methanol and refrigerants without co-adsorbing the larger molecules
- Not sure which duty fits — compare all applications
Ask for this grade
Email sales@zeolitemolecularsieve.com or call +86 153 7878 8801 — 08:30–18:00 China time, Monday to Saturday.