--- title: Gels, Gels, Gels. A Blown-Film Nightmare! description: Purging Expert Eric Despotovich discusses some easy ways to remove gels in blown-film extrusion. image: https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Gels%20Gels%20Gels%20blog.jpg --- [ Order Online ](https://asaclean.my.site.com/b2bstore) [ Free Sample ](https://offers.asaclean.com/free-sample) ## [ Asaclean Blog ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog) Browse by Topic " aerospace asaclean asaclean news Asaclean® benefits asahi kasei automotive Best Practices black specks blisters blow molding blown-film extrusion buyers caps and closures carbon contamination cast-film extrusion Chemical Purging Compounds clear applications Color Changeovers Company News compounding consumer products contamination Cost savings custom molders Customer Success Story decreasing scrap defects electronics Energy Efficiency EX Grade extruder cleaning Extrusion fillament glass filled Glitter Grade Selection HDPE High and Low Temp Changeovers hold a bubble Hot Runners Injection Molding Injection Molding Tips LDPE Lightweight automotive components LLDPE low residue maintenance Material Changeovers Mechanical Purging Compounds medical Melt Flow Index NPE 24 nylons on the fly packaging PCR PEEK Polypropylene Post Consumer Resins preventative preventative purging processing tips profile extrusion Purge Program purge programs Purge Training Purge Trial purging purging compounds purging concentrates purging procedures Purging Tips quality recycled resins residue issues scrap reduction Screw Pulls sheet extrusion shutdown and sealing start-up super engineering resins Sustainability Tech Day technical support training trials Troubleshooting Twin Screw twin screw extrusion two step purging U Grade ULTEM venting Viscosity webinars wire extrusion - [All](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/page/1) - More - [aerospace](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/aerospace) - [asaclean](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/asaclean) - [asaclean news](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/asaclean-news) - [Asaclean® benefits](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/asaclean-benefits) - [asahi kasei](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/asahi-kasei) - [automotive](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/automotive) - [Best Practices](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/best-practices) - [black specks](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/black-specks) - [blisters](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/blisters) - [blow molding](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/blow-molding) - [blown-film extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/blown-film-extrusion) - [buyers](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/buyers) - [caps and closures](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/caps-and-closures) - [carbon contamination](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/carbon-contamination) - [cast-film extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/cast-film-extrusion) - [Chemical Purging Compounds](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/chemical-purging-compounds) - [clear applications](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/clear-applications) - [Color Changeovers](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/color-changeovers) - [Company News](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/company-news) - [compounding](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/compounding) - [consumer products](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/consumer-products) - [contamination](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/contamination) - [Cost savings](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/cost-savings) - [custom molders](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/custom-molders) - [Customer Success Story](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/customer-success-story) - [decreasing scrap](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/decreasing-scrap) - [defects](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/defects) - [electronics](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/electronics) - [Energy Efficiency](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/energy-efficiency) - [EX Grade](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/ex-grade) - [extruder cleaning](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/extruder-cleaning) - [Extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/extrusion) - [fillament](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/fillament) - [glass filled](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/glass-filled) - [Glitter](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/glitter) - [Grade Selection](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/grade-selection) - [HDPE](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/hdpe) - [High and Low Temp Changeovers](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/high-and-low-temp-changeovers) - [hold a bubble](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/hold-a-bubble) - [Hot Runners](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/hot-runners) - [Injection Molding](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/injection-molding) - [Injection Molding Tips](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/injection-molding-tips) - [LDPE](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/ldpe) - [Lightweight automotive components](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/lightweight-automotive-components) - [LLDPE](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/lldpe) - [low residue](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/low-residue) - [maintenance](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/maintenance) - [Material Changeovers](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/material-changeovers) - [Mechanical Purging Compounds](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/mechanical-purging-compounds) - [medical](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/medical) - [Melt Flow Index](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/melt-flow-index) - [NPE 24](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/npe-24) - [nylons](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/nylons) - [on the fly](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/on-the-fly) - [packaging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/packaging) - [PCR](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/pcr) - [PEEK](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/peek) - [Polypropylene](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/polypropylene) - [Post Consumer Resins](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/post-consumer-resins) - [preventative](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/preventative) - [preventative purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/preventative-purging) - [processing tips](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/processing-tips) - [profile extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/profile-extrusion) - [Purge Program](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-program) - [purge programs](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-programs) - [Purge Training](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-training) - [Purge Trial](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purge-trial) - [purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging) - [purging compounds](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-compounds) - [purging concentrates](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-concentrates) - [purging procedures](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-procedures) - [Purging Tips](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/purging-tips) - [quality](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/quality) - [recycled resins](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/recycled-resins) - [residue issues](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/residue-issues) - [scrap reduction](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/scrap-reduction) - [Screw Pulls](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/screw-pulls) - [sheet extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/sheet-extrusion) - [shutdown and sealing](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/shutdown-and-sealing) - [start-up](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/start-up) - [super engineering resins](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/super-engineering-resins) - [Sustainability](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/sustainability) - [Tech Day](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/tech-day) - [technical support](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/technical-support) - [training](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/training) - [trials](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/trials) - [Troubleshooting](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/troubleshooting) - [Twin Screw](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw) - [twin screw extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/twin-screw-extrusion) - [two step purging](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/two-step-purging) - [U Grade](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/u-grade) - [ULTEM](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/ultem) - [venting](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/venting) - [Viscosity](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/viscosity) - [webinars](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/webinars) - [wire extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/topic/wire-extrusion) [ Subscribe ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/gels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare#subscribe-modal) ### Suscribirse Troubleshooting / 3 min read / January 24, 2023 # Gels, Gels, Gels. A Blown-Film Nightmare! - [Facebook Share ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fgels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare) - [Twitter Tweet ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fgels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare&text=Gels%2C+Gels%2C+Gels.+A+Blown-Film+Nightmare%21) - [LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fgels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare&title=Gels%2C%20Gels%2C%20Gels.%20A%20Blown-Film%20Nightmare%21&summary=Purging+Expert+Eric+Despotovich+discusses+some+easy+ways+to+remove+gels+in+blown-film+extrusion.&source=) - [Pinterest Pin ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fgels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare) - [Email Email ](mailto:?subject=Gels%2C%20Gels%2C%20Gels.%20A%20Blown-Film%20Nightmare%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fgels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare) ![Gels, Gels, Gels. A Blown-Film Nightmare!](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gels%20Gels%20Gels%20blog.jpg?width=640&height=500&name=Gels%20Gels%20Gels%20blog.jpg)   Gels come from many different sources such as suppliers, processes, and contamination. But one thing for sure is that gels are a quality nightmare.   While recently working with some folks who [blow film](https://www.asaclean.com/process/film-extrusion) for a living, I learned of a problem that has been going on for some time and continuing to build. Gels have been becoming a big issue. These Gels cause rejects in the final product, which results in loss of money due to scrapped product and lost time.   This company has many machines processing PP, HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE resins into mono and multi-layered films using spiral dies. Over the years these dies have been taken apart hundreds and hundreds of times to clean. I have recently learned that low-flow areas in dies can and will cause gels to occur due to the “low flow” or worn areas not shearing the material as needed. This can be diagnosed by noticing if the gels tend to line up in a line coming out of the die. Gels do not know how to line up unless they are mechanically driven to do so.     Here is a tip on how to know whether your die is worn and creating gels. At the end of the production run, drop in a hand full of colored pellets into the production resin. It does not matter which color, but darker is better than lighter colors. Allow this material to flow through the system. Once the color has stopped coming out of the die and it is just natural resin, run the material all the way out and stop the machine and disconnect the die. At this point, we need to tear the die apart. As you start to peel the layers down, look for any color left in the die. If there is colorant left in the die, this is where the worn area is located inside the die. This die should be taken offline and repaired.   **Ready to reduce your ****production downtime**** to protect your profits? Learn more about how ****purging compounds**** and process efficiency work in tandem.** ![Eric Despotovich](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Eric%20Despotovich%20LinkedIn%20Headshot%202%20-%20Copy.jpg?width=150&name=Eric%20Despotovich%20LinkedIn%20Headshot%202%20-%20Copy.jpg) #### [ Eric Despotovich ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/eric-despotovich) Eric Despotovich, an esteemed Asaclean Purging Expert and Technical Sales Representative, brings over 40 years of processing experience to his role. With over 18 years of dedication to our company, Eric has become a cornerstone of our sales team, renowned for his commitment to client success. His extensive industry knowledge and genuine passion for helping clients make him a trusted advisor in optimizing their operations. Eric's approach is characterized by deeply understanding each client's unique challenges, ensuring tailored solutions that drive efficiency and profitability. - [Share On LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-despotovich-5449682b) ## Related Posts [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-488224099.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=iStock-488224099.jpg) Quick Blown-Film Tip: How to Remove Carbon & Gels From a Spiral Die Troubleshooting / 2 min read / September 14, 2021 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/quick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die) [![](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Specks%201.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=Specks%201.jpg) How to Reduce Gels & Black Specks in PE During Conversion Chemical... / 3 min read / January 16, 2020 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/how-to-reduce-gels-black-specks-in-pe-during-conversion) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/gels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/gels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare#) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-layers.svg) #### Free Sample Request a free sample of Asaclean® Purging Compounds for your plant and start saving today. [Request your free sample](https://offers.asaclean.com/en/free-sample?hsLang=en) ![](https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/assets/images/icons/icon-calculator.svg) #### Cost Savings Calculator Use our free calculator to see how much you could be saving with Asaclean® Purging Compounds. [See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/gels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Eric Despotovich", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/eric-despotovich" }, "dateModified" : "2023-01-24T18:24:06.733Z", "datePublished" : "2023-01-24T18:24:06.000Z", "headline" : "Gels, Gels, Gels. A Blown-Film Nightmare!", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Gels%20Gels%20Gels%20blog.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/gels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/Asaclean%20Logo%20TM.jpg" }, "name" : "Asahi Kasei Plastics North America" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Article", "articleBody" : "Gels come from many different sources such as suppliers, processes, and contamination. But one thing for sure is that gels are a quality nightmare. While recently working with some folks who blow film for a living, I learned of a problem that has been going on for some time and continuing to build. Gels have been becoming a big issue. These Gels cause rejects in the final product, which results in loss of money due to scrapped product and lost time.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Eric Despotovich" }, "datePublished" : "January 24, 2023", "headline" : "Gels, Gels, Gels. A Blown-Film Nightmare!", "image" : "https://468726.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/468726/Gels%20Gels%20Gels%20blog.jpg", "name" : "Gels, Gels, Gels. A Blown-Film Nightmare!", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/gels-gels-gels-a-blown-film-nightmare" } ```