Initial moisture content
The higher the initial moisture content, the longer will be the drying time required.

Particle size
Large particles take longer to dry than small ones.

Dryer dew point
The dew point is a measure of the relative humidity in the dryer. The lower the dew point, the less residual moisture will be in the pellet for a given drying time.

Drying temperature
The pellet temperature is the most important consideration in providing for efficient drying.

Drying time
Pellets (and regrind) take time to dry because the moisture was absorbed into the particle, and must defuse to the surface before being removed. This diffusion rate is very temperature dependent, and since large particles have longer diffusion paths, they take longer to dry. The drying time required depends on particle size, dew point and temperature.

Common Drying Guide

MATERIAL	DRYER	TIME (hrs.)	TEMP. (F)
ABS	1	2 - 4	180 - 200
ACETAL*	1	1 - 4	185
ACRYLIC	2	2 - 3	165 - 200**
NYLON:
6	2	2 - 4	180
6/6	2	2 - 4	175
POLYCARBONATE	2	4	250
PC/ABS	2	3 - 4	175 - 230 **
PC/POLYESTER	2	3 - 4	240
PPS	2	2	300
POLYPROPYLENE*	1	1 - 2	120 - 150
PPO®	2	2 - 4	200 - 250 **
POLYSTYRENE*	1	1 - 2	150 - 170
POLYURETHANE	2	1 - 4	180 - 220 **
POLYESTER:
PBT	2	2 - 4	250 - 280
PET	2	2 - 4	275
ELASTOMER	2	2 - 3	250
PVC*	1	2	170 - 180
SAN	1	2 - 3	180 - 200

1 - HOT AIR type dryer.

2 - Desiccant type dryer.

* - material typically does not require drying.

** - required temperatures are grade specific.

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