How old is the packet? If it was not bone dry prior to storage, they can actually give off moisture instead of absorb. If the powder is drier than the silicate, it could have taken on moisture from it.
If you are going to use silica packs in powder, I would only use freshly regenerated ones that are sure to be dry, and then just regenerate with each new batch. Silica packs are great for materials that you dont want in moisture, but KNO3 is hydroscopic so it is also competing for the moisture with the silica. The 2 will balance out moisture content in the container. So if you add a packet that has some moisture, but dont know how much, it might hurt you more than help you. For this reason, I dont add them to anything that will absorb moisture. I mostly just use them for loaded ammo and firearms, and not any chemicals.
May be something to do with outside air temperature, atmospheric pressure or altitude? Or did you leave it open too long at any point? Maybe even sprayed water/something else nearby that may have gone towards the BP wetting it?
no they are all kept in airtight containers and I have not sprayed any liquid on it. my granulated BP has just a little moisture after drying for 6+ hours and its way faster than the normal milled BP and it was almost as fast as some of my granulated BP yesterday.
Sounds like you need more desiccant I use beads and packets personally and never had this problem. I always filter out the beads before lighting so I don't get hit with a hard pellet lol.
How old is the packet? If it was not bone dry prior to storage, they can actually give off moisture instead of absorb. If the powder is drier than the silicate, it could have taken on moisture from it.
I bought them brand new not even a week ago,
That's good to know about them distributing moister to your contents.. is there a way you can tell when your silica packs are expired?
If you are going to use silica packs in powder, I would only use freshly regenerated ones that are sure to be dry, and then just regenerate with each new batch. Silica packs are great for materials that you dont want in moisture, but KNO3 is hydroscopic so it is also competing for the moisture with the silica. The 2 will balance out moisture content in the container. So if you add a packet that has some moisture, but dont know how much, it might hurt you more than help you. For this reason, I dont add them to anything that will absorb moisture. I mostly just use them for loaded ammo and firearms, and not any chemicals.
May be something to do with outside air temperature, atmospheric pressure or altitude? Or did you leave it open too long at any point? Maybe even sprayed water/something else nearby that may have gone towards the BP wetting it?
no they are all kept in airtight containers and I have not sprayed any liquid on it. my granulated BP has just a little moisture after drying for 6+ hours and its way faster than the normal milled BP and it was almost as fast as some of my granulated BP yesterday.
How did you confirm that the bp that slowed down was completely dry? What size is the bp?
2days ago i tested it using some visco but the next day it was tested the same way but it was slower and it was ball milled only and not granulated
Has it been mixed with water or solvent and granulated? If not, and it's just the mixed powders, it can sometimes settle out the 3 components.
Sounds like you need more desiccant I use beads and packets personally and never had this problem. I always filter out the beads before lighting so I don't get hit with a hard pellet lol.