Drying Nylon with a Hot Air Dryer…

This question came from a molder overseas…

JY
We typically process polypropylene and polyethylene but our customer asked us to run Nylon. Can we use a hot air dryer for nylon?
My Response
Hot air dryers are typically used to either remove surface moisture or preheat the polymer.Since they do not significantly reduce the dewpoint of the air, hot air dryers are not an effective method of removing moisture from hygroscopic polymers.
Even if you get the parts to mold, hydrolysis will occur and the parts will not have the strength and impact resistance to be effectively used.
Additional Thoughts
When preparing such a highly hygroscopic material, it is critical that you use a low-dewpoint material dryer such as a desiccant or vacuum dryer.
-Andy

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