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Like all thermoplastic
polyurethanes, Desmopan resins absorb moisture from the air.
The extent and rate at which this happens depends on the raw material
type, shore hardness and climate.
To ensure trouble-free
processing and to avoid any loss of quality, Bayer MaterialScience
recommends drying the Desmopan TPU resins to a moisture content
of 0.05% or less.
If the TPU resin granules
are too moist, blisters or streaks can occur on the surface of the
finished components - the material is no longer smooth and glossy,
but foamy and gassy.
Another frequent cause
of defects is the use of undried functional concentrates.
These batches should be separately predried to a moisture content
of 0.05% or less through conventional dry air and circulating air
dryers.
Depending on the shore
hardness of the resin, the recommended drying temperatures are between
80 and 100 degrees C (176 to 230 degrees F), with drying times from
one to four hours. Drying can be achieved in a shorter time
with dehumidifying dryers.
Dried, hot granules should
not be left exposed to open air. They must be stored in dry
containers that can be resealed. The machine hopper must be
kept covered.
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