In industries ranging from defence to electronics and logistics, controlling moisture is critical. Too much humidity can cause corrosion, mould, warped packaging, and expensive product failures. That’s where desiccants come in but not all desiccant products are created equal. For customers in military, industrial, and demanding commercial applications, standards like MOD Def.Stan 81-68/5 and MIL-D-3464E ensure desiccants deliver the performance and reliability you need.
What Is MOD Defence Standard 81-68/5?
MOD Def.Stan 81-68/5 is a UK Ministry of Defence Defence Standard (Def Stan) that defines the requirements for desiccant bags filled with silica gel or activated clay used to protect packaged materiel against moisture during storage, handling, or transit. It’s part of the larger 81-68 series focused on desiccant materials for defence packaging.
The standard covers key elements such as:
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Material composition – how the desiccant is made and what it contains.
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Manufacture and testing – ensuring each bag performs consistently in controlled moisture-adsorption tests.
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Performance verification – how bags are tested to confirm they meet prescribed moisture control criteria.
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Packaging and storage – how desiccant bags are packaged and preserved before use.
In short, Def.Stan 81-68/5 ensures that desiccant bags supplied under this specification meet strict quality standards — so they work reliably when protecting sensitive equipment, components, and supplies from humidity.
Note: The 81-68 series has continued evolving, with newer editions (e.g., 81-68/6) available, but 81-68/5 remains a widely referenced specification for many industrial desiccant products.
What Is MIL-D-3464E?
MIL-D-3464E is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) military specification for activated desiccants in bagged form similar in purpose to Def.Stan 81-68/5, but originating from U.S. military packaging standards.
This specification covers:
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Definition of a desiccant “unit” — based on adsorption capacity, not weight alone (e.g., how much moisture one unit must adsorb at specified conditions).
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Absorption requirements — for example, a unit must adsorb at least 3 grams of water vapour at 20 % relative humidity and 6 grams at 40 % RH.
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Dust and contamination limits — different types specify how much dust the bag may emit during use.
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Reactivation capability — many MIL-D-3464E bags can be dried and reused while retaining most of their original capacity.
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Bag durability and marking — packaging must withstand handling and clearly indicate unit size, reactivation details, and manufacturer.
MIL-D-3464E is widely used in aerospace, defence, industrial, and export packaging where moisture control reliability is non-negotiable.
Def.Stan Vs MIL Spec — What’s the Difference?
Both standards are trusted benchmarks for moisture-control desiccant products, but they originate from different military systems and have slightly different scopes:
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Feature
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Def.Stan 81-68/5 (UK)
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MIL-D-3464E (US)
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Authority
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UK Ministry of Defence
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US Department of Defense
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Focus
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Bags of silica gel for moisture control in packaging
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Bagged activated desiccants for packaging and static dehumidification
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Key Emphasis
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Manufacture, performance, testing, packaging & storage
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Adsorption performance, unit definitions, dust limits, and durability
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Unit Measurement
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Often “Desiccant Units” (DU)
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“Desiccant Units” based on strict adsorption tests
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Why These Standards Matter for You
If you’re sourcing desiccant products for container shipping, defence supply chains, long-term storage, or sensitive electronic components, these standards matter because they guarantee:
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Performance you can rely on — tested and certified to meet rigorous humidity adsorption criteria.
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Consistent quality — across batches and over time, ensuring desiccant bags behave as expected when deployed.
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Traceability and compliance — clear marking and specification references for quality control and audit purposes.
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Industry-accepted benchmarks — widely recognised in defence, industrial, and export packaging markets.
How Desiccants.co.uk Products Fit In
At Desiccants.co.uk, we supply high-quality desiccant bags and sachets that meet or exceed these standards — whether you need products compliant with MOD Def.Stan 81-68/5 or MIL-D-3464E.
Our range includes:
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Silica gel desiccant bags sized to your specification.
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Standard and bandolier packs for container moisture control.
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Products with defined desiccant units (DU) for precision humidity management.
Whether you’re protecting electronics, machinery, or packaged goods, choosing desiccants built to these specifications ensures peace of mind and dependable moisture protection.