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PMC Tips | Products | Production Processes | Mechanism | PMC Tips | Drying Drying PMC Drying is one of the most important processes for improving the quality of PMC projects. PMC is composed of pure silver particles, organic binder, and water kneaded together. Of the three compositions, the purpose of the drying process is to remove water by evaporation. Drying also hardens the piece for easier handling. If the piece is not completely dry, the following problems may occur: 1) The work may crack or break when fired. If any moisture remains (if not completely dried), water vaporizes when the piece is fired and expands dramatically,* creating in cracks. The phenomenon often occurs when rapidly heated. * When water is heated to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils into vapor (a gaseous body). The volume theoretically increases by 1,000 times or more which can cause cracks & bubbles. 2) Cutting before firing becomes difficult. To improve the quality of the project, it is important to perfect the work before firing because it is easier than after firing. If the piece is not completely dry, the work may deform during the process of cutting, such as when mending cracks and deburring, or the process itself may be impossible due to lack of strength. Drying methods and conditions of PMC Typical drying methods are listed below. If you want to adopt other methods, check the temperature and length of time and ensure that they are consistent with the conditions below. PMC3 PMC+ PMC Standard Natural drying One or two days at room temperature depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. One or two days at room temperature depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. One or two days at room temperature depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. Drier 15 to 30 minutes or even longer depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. 15 to 30 minutes or even longer depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. 15 to 30 minutes or even longer depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. Because it contains more moisture than other clay, we recommend a longer drying time. Electric hot plate and drier with temperature control function See Item 4 15 minutes or longer at 80°C to 250°C depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. 15 to 30 minutes or even longer at 80°C to 250°C depending on the size, thickness, and shape of the piece. * Room temperature means 25 degrees Celsius. Determining completion of drying If you are artificially drying the piece using a drier or electric hot plate, check if the piece is completely dried or not by placing it on a mirror or cooled metal (at room temperature) and seeing whether the surface becomes fogged by moisture. If it does not become fogged, it means the drying process is complete. PMC shrinks a little when dried. Linear shrinkage is 2%-3% for PMC3 and PMC+ and 3%-5% for PMC Standard. Measure the length of the piece before and after firing. By calculating the shrinkage, determine whether the drying process is complete. Because the shrinkage of PMC3 and PMC+ is small, be extremely careful when measuring the length of small pieces. About PMC Silver Discoloration of silver Drying   Gold paste Aura 22 Firing   Troubleshooting Shrinkage   Other Information