--- title: "Quick Blown-Film Tip: How to Remove Carbon & Gels From a Spiral Die" description: Purging Expert Eric Despotovich discusses how to solve gels and carbon issues in blown-film extrusion. image: https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/iStock-488224099.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 - 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[Twitter Tweet ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fquick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die&text=Quick+Blown-Film+Tip%3A+How+to+Remove+Carbon+%26amp%3B+Gels+From+a+Spiral+Die) - [LinkedIn Share ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fquick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die&title=Quick%20Blown-Film%20Tip%3A%20How%20to%20Remove%20Carbon%20%26amp%3B%20Gels%20From%20a%20Spiral%20Die&summary=Purging+Expert+Eric+Despotovich+discusses+how+to+solve+gels+and+carbon+issues+in+blown-film+extrusion.&source=) - [Pinterest Pin ](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fquick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die) - [Email Email ](mailto:?subject=Quick%20Blown-Film%20Tip%3A%20How%20to%20Remove%20Carbon%20%26amp%3B%20Gels%20From%20a%20Spiral%20Die&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.asaclean.com%2Fblog%2Fquick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die) ![Quick Blown-Film Tip: How to Remove Carbon & Gels From a Spiral Die](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-488224099.jpg?width=640&height=500&name=iStock-488224099.jpg) [![iStock-488224099](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-488224099.jpg?width=259&name=iStock-488224099.jpg)](https://www.ptonline.com/articles/back-to-basics-on-mold-venting) When producing film from a spiral die, carbon and gels can cause catastrophic failure. This will cause the processor to lose production time as they will most likely have to tear down the die and physically remove the carbon by hand. Now, that being said, most bag producers run the machines until the carbon is so bad, they have no choice but to tear down the die and clean it manually. That’s called running to failure. There is a better way. When the gels, die lines or carbon specks first become visible, this is the time to stop production and use a quality purge such as [Asaclean NCR](https://www.asaclean.com/purging-products/asaclean-chemical-purging-grades/ncr-grade-purging-compound-formerly-supernova-regular/). By doing this, you will extend the life of the die and prevent having to tear it apart to clean manually. When using the NCR to remove carbon, we need to raise the heats in the die to a minimum of 500f. Once at this temperature, extrude the NCR through the die until it is only NCR coming from the die. At this point, slow the rpms of the screw to a very slow speed and allow the purge to “soak” for 30 minutes. By keeping the screw turning, you ensure that there is fresh material coming into the die to remove the degradation. **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 [![Asaclean UF2 Blown Film Use-2](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asaclean%20UF2%20Blown%20Film%20Use-2.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=Asaclean%20UF2%20Blown%20Film%20Use-2.jpg) Stop Running to Failure: A Tip for Extrusion Troubleshooting / 2 min read / November 22, 2019 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/stop-running-to-failure-a-tip-for-extrusion) [![5 Easy Tips for Maintaining a Bubble During  on-the-fly Color Changes in Blown Film Extrusion](https://www.asaclean.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Film%20Extrusion%20Blog%20Header-1.jpg?width=450&height=250&name=Film%20Extrusion%20Blog%20Header-1.jpg) 5 Tips to Maintain a Bubble During Blown Film Color Changes Troubleshooting / 2 min read / May 08, 2019 ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/5-easy-tips-for-maintaining-a-bubble-during-for-on-the-fly-color-changes-in-blown-film-extrusion) ## Comments Get Started ## Ready to start improving your efficiency and increasing your profitability? - [Request a Consultation](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/quick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die#) - [Contact Sales](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/quick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die#) ![](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. 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[See your savings](https://www.asaclean.com/cost-savings-calculator) [ Back to Top ](https://www.asaclean.com/blog/quick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Eric Despotovich", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/author/eric-despotovich" }, "dateModified" : "2021-10-04T14:49:30.862Z", "datePublished" : "2021-09-14T11:30:00.000Z", "headline" : "Quick Blown-Film Tip: How to Remove Carbon & Gels From a Spiral Die", "image" : [ "https://www.asaclean.com/hubfs/iStock-488224099.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/quick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die", "@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" : "When producing film from a spiral die, carbon and gels can cause catastrophic failure. This will cause the processor to lose production time as they will most likely have to tear down the die and physically remove the carbon by hand. Now, that being said, most bag producers run the machines until the carbon is so bad, they have no choice but to tear down the die and clean it manually. That’s called running to failure. There is a better way.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Eric Despotovich" }, "datePublished" : "September 14, 2021", "headline" : "Quick Blown-Film Tip: How to Remove Carbon & Gels From a Spiral Die", "image" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/468726/iStock-488224099.jpg", "name" : "Quick Blown-Film Tip: How to Remove Carbon & Gels From a Spiral Die", "url" : "https://www.asaclean.com/blog/quick-blown-film-tip-how-to-remove-carbon-gels-from-a-spiral-die" } ```