Home › Applications › Refrigeration, building & cryogenics › Molecular Sieve for Insulating Glass
Refrigeration, building & cryogenics
Molecular Sieve for Insulating Glass
Core Adsorbent supplies 3A molecular sieve beads for insulating glass spacer bars, keeping the gas space between panes dry and free of condensation.
3A
Spacer desiccant
≥ 21.5 %
Static water adsorption
15–35 days
Delivery time
1 t
MOQ per grade
01 Overview
Which molecular sieve is used in insulating glass?
Insulating glass units use 3A molecular sieve beads inside the spacer bar. The 3 Å pore adsorbs moisture trapped during assembly and diffusing in over the unit’s life while excluding air and fill gases, so the panes stay clear of condensation.
| Desiccant | 3A Molecular Sieve |
| Location | Inside spacer bars |
| Why 3A | Adsorbs water, not air or argon |
| Form | Small beads |
| Supplied | Activated, in sealed packing |
02 Challenges
What causes insulating glass to fail?
Moisture is the main cause of fogged units.
Fogging
Moisture condenses between the panes in cold weather.
Gas pressure change
Adsorbing gases changes internal pressure and bows the glass.
Dust
Fine dust from beads shows between the panes.
Moisture pick-up
Beads exposed too long before sealing lose capacity.
03 Solutions
Where the sieve is used
01
Window and façade IG units
Typical requirement: long-term dry gas space
- 3A Molecular Sieve — spacer bar fill
02
Argon-filled units
Typical requirement: dry without adsorbing argon
- 3A Molecular Sieve — 3 Å pore excludes argon
03
Spacer manufacturers
Typical requirement: consistent bulk supply
- 3A Molecular Sieve — sealed packing
04 Selection guide
Insulating glass desiccant selection
Full specifications are on each product page.
| Product | Use | Key figure |
|---|---|---|
| 3A Molecular Sieve | IG spacer desiccant | 3 Å pore, static H₂O ≥ 21.5 % |
| 4A Molecular Sieve | Not recommended for IG (adsorbs gases) | 4 Å pore |
05 Key properties
3A data for insulating glass
3 Å
Excludes air and argon
≥ 21.5 %
Static water adsorption
Activated
Supplied ready to fill
COA
Lot test report with every shipment
Full data: 3A Molecular Sieve.
06 From our plant
What you receive
The adsorbent, the packing and the plant it ships from.
Photos are replaced with real product, packing and plant images as they become available.
07 Support
Customisation and engineering support
- Production support — advice on handling and exposure time on your line.
- Grade matching — send the data sheet of the product you use now; we propose an equivalent grade.
- Consistent bulk supply — lot-tested product for component manufacturers.
- Packing — sealed drums or bags that keep the product dry; samples from 5–10 kg.
08 Related solutions
More refrigeration, building and cryogenics solutions
Why 3A and not 4A?
4A Molecular Sieve can adsorb air components and change internal pressure; 3A Molecular Sieve adsorbs only water.
Is the sieve supplied activated?
Yes, in sealed packing; fill spacers soon after opening.
Does it work with argon fill?
Yes, argon is excluded from the 3 Å pore.
Do you offer zeolite powder for sealants?
Activated zeolite powder is being added to our range; ask for availability.