TPE Material Drying: Critical Scenarios, Best Practices, and Technical Guidelines for Optimal Performance
Time of issue:2025-04-28
Some freshly produced TPE particles often retain residual moisture. Drying the material before processing can significantly improve product appearance, particularly for high-end tools and electronic products with strict aesthetic requirements, where pre-drying is strongly recommended.
TPE manufacturers dry the material prior to packaging and warehousing. This allows customers to use the material directly upon unpacking without further drying. However, unfilled rubber compounds must be resealed promptly (especially for infrequently used materials) to prevent moisture absorption.
For general molding processes (e.g., extrusion, single-material injection molding, casting), pre-drying of TPE is unnecessary.
When Is Pre-Drying Mandatory?
Overmolding TPE:
For overmolded TPE products (e.g., TPE over ABS, PC, PA), where surface gloss and appearance are critical, pre-drying is recommended. Residual moisture in TPE particles may volatilize during molding, causing blisters or surface defects. For TPE suppliers, pre-drying is particularly important when delivering initial samples to new clients to ensure satisfactory results.
Unsealed or Partially Used TPE:
If opened TPE compounds are not promptly resealed, moisture absorption may occur under humid warehouse conditions, necessitating pre-drying before molding.
Recommended Drying Parameters:
SEBS-based TPE/TPR requires higher temperatures than SBS-based TPE/TPR.
High-hardness TPE/TPR needs higher temperatures than low-hardness grades.
- For low-hardness TPE/TPR (＜60A): 60–80°C for 2 hours.
- For high-hardness TPE/TPR (≥60A): 80–90°C for 2 hours.
For custom-formulated TPE materials, consult the manufacturer’s technical team for tailored drying instructions before molding.
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