Efficient Ice Pack Made of Better Gel

Ice Pack / Cold Pack

As we know, ice packs can absorb the amount of heat, due to the high latent heat of fusion of water.

These packs are commonly used to,

• keep food cool in portable coolers,

• or as a cold compress to alleviate the pain of minor injuries;

• or in insulated shipping containers to keep products cool during transport.

So far, there are two types of cold packs: Ice packs and Gel ice packs.

It seems that gel ice packs are more and more popular

Ice Pack / Cold Pack

As we know, ice packs can absorb the amount of heat, due to the high latent heat of fusion of water.

These packs are commonly used to,

keep food cool in portable coolers,

or as a cold compress to alleviate the pain of minor injuries;

or in insulated shipping containers to keep products cool during transport.

So far, there are two types of cold packs: Ice packs and Gel ice packs.

It seems that gel ice packs are more and more popular.

Gel Ice Pack

Gel ice pack is a plastic sac filled with water, or refrigerant gel or liquid.

Here’re the differences from traditional ice bags:

• Soft feel and nice appearance;

• Effectively curb the breeding of bacteria;

• More effective. (Its specific heat is 3-4 times than ice’s)

What chemical is in gel ice packs?

It’s Sodium polyacrylate.

As a type of superabsorbent polymers, sodium polyacrylate can absorb plenty of water and become a gel form.

One-gram sodium polyacrylate can absorb 300-1000 grams of pure water. In other words, it’s enough to contain 1 gram (or less)  sodium polyacrylate for each gel ice pack.

Advantages of Sodium polyacrylate

• high specific heat capacity;

• low cost (for each gel ice pack) ;

• non-toxic & environment friendly;

Is it safe?

Actually, sodium polyacrylate is also the main absorption material in common hygiene products such as paper diapers and sanitary towels.

So it is totally non-toxic, harmless and resoluble.