5 key points on how to dry plastic material

For many plastic molding companies, how to dry material is an inevitable problem and
engineering plastics especially need drying. The drying purpose is to make good quality products.
The main problem caused by the change in the performance of the product is not directly
detected by the naked eye, but can only be found through testing its appropriate components,
such as mechanical properties and dielectric strength.
When selecting the drying process, the drying properties of the material are of key importance.
Plastic material can be divided into two kinds: hygroscopic and non-hygroscopic. Because of its
physical and chemical structure, the hygroscopic material would absorb moisture from the
surrounding environment, and constrain them in its internal structure. Non-hygroscopic materials
cannot absorb moisture from the environment. For non-hygroscopic material, any moisture
present in the environment remain on the surfaces, being surface water", it is relatively easy to
remove. Particles made of non-absorbent material can be hygroscopic because of the effects of
additives or fillers, and absorb moisture from the environment.

1, HOW TO CONFIRM THE EXCESSIVE MOISTURE
For several common plastic materials (crystalline engineering plastics), too high moisture
content of plastic material would have following impacts on the product and the performance:

plastic Phenomenon during injection Defects of surface Impact on performance
PA Nozzle drooling
Possible bubble inside barrel
Jet on flow direction
flash
Reduce the impact and
tensile strength
PET No obvious phenomenon No surface streak Reduce the impact and
tensile strength heavily
PBT No obvious phenomenon No surface streak Reduce the impact and
tensile strength heavily
POM Possible bubble inside barrel
Possible dirt on nozzle
Possible flow jet Nonobvious

2, MAXIMUM MOISTURE CONTENT, DRYING TEMPERATURE AND DRYING TIME TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
FOR PLASTIC RAW MATERIALS
Most plastics can absorb moisture from the atmosphere and the surrounding environment; the
adsorption varies because of the different types of plastics material. Too high moisture content in
the raw material grains (even just the accumulation on the surface of grains) will cause many of
the quality problems during injection molding; seriously affect the smooth production of
injection molding, too frequently adjust the production process of the abnormality and result in
poor appearance and deduce the mechanical strength of the workpiece.
In general, the moisture of raw materials can not directly be checked by eyes, the following
table adopted by topworks plastic mold company provides maximum moisture content, drying
temperature and drying time technical parameters of plastic raw material


Plastic Moisture content Drying temperature Drying time Remarks
PA 0.2% 80 2-4 hrs. Drying if material exposed to
air directly
PBT 0.05% 120 3-4 hrs. Drying by plastic
dehumidifying dryer
PET 0.02% 130 3-4 hrs. Drying by plastic
dehumidifying dryer
POM 0.05% 80 1 hr. Drying if dubiosity moisture
accumulation of surface
.
3. DRYING PLASTIC RAW MATERIALS
Before injection molding, most plastic raw materials need its moisture contents drop to a
certain level. The drying time depends on the water-sensitive plastic material. At same time it
should take into account of packaging way, storage duration and different usage.
PA (nylon) mostly is sealed by multi-foil packaging bags, so you can directly use that after open
the bag. If the raw materials will be used up within one hour, drying is not necessary.
PET and PBT (polyester resin) are particularly sensitive to the surrounding environment, and
they must be dried to ensure a smooth production and quality injection molding parts before
processing. The material could rapidly absorb the surrounding moisture after drying, so it should
avoid the use of open hopper, material on the delivery system or inside the hopper should be
dried. Under greater humidity climate (such as rain day), PET will absorb large amounts of
moisture in 10 minutes, and the moisture content would exceed the allowable content of 0.02%.

Reground materials and fully hygroscopic particles (if material containers always open) must be
fully dried. On this situation, the drying time is not adequate. Fully absorbent nylon may need
more than 12 hours in the drying process, and may cause yellowing of the raw material.
As to plastic injection molding, it could take the following precautions to reduce the moisture
content of the raw material:
A, store the reground and runner material in closed containers;
B, the container or bag with infrequent use should be sealed;
C.cover the hopper.

4, NEW DRYING METHOD - DEHUMIDIFYING AIR DRYER SYSTEM
To get a good quality plastic injection molding parts, it is very important to follow the correct
procedures. Using a traditional hot air dryer to dry plastic materials is not enough. Dehumidified
air dryer system can improve this situation; this system can provide a stable and qualified raw
material drying, free of affection by environmental and climatic conditions.
Dehumidified air dryer system in use should follow:
A, maintain the proper drying temperature;
B, confirm that the dry air is maintained below the dew point -20 ;
C, and for different filling height and the particle density containers, to ensure an adequate
circulation air inside each container;

5, MEASUREMENT OF MOISTURE CONTENT OF ENGINEERING PLASTIC

The moisture content of the Plastic raw materials can be measured by instrument. For example,
use a pressure gauge or Karl-Fischer method.
In order to eliminate deviation caused by the sample, the drying sample should be taken on the
bottom of heating device and stored in a suitable container. Glass containers for laboratory
samples are also acceptable.