Bioplastics & Biomaterials Processing calculator

Moisture Sensitivity Risk Calculator

Moisture sensitivity can drive hydrolysis, viscosity loss, bubbles, splay, brittleness, poor impact strength, film breaks, and rejected parts. Process engineers and quality teams use this FMEA-style score to prioritize drying controls, moisture testing, storage changes, and supplier containment for sensitive biomaterials.

What this calculator does

  • Score moisture-related processing risk for PLA, PHA, starch blends, cellulose compounds, and other hygroscopic biomaterials using severity, occurrence, and detection ratings.
  • a polymer processing team needs to rank moisture risk before running or qualifying a bio-resin grade
  • Returns a comparative risk score for moisture-driven biomaterial processing issues.

Formula used

  • Moisture sensitivity risk score = moisture impact severity score × moisture occurrence score × moisture detection score
  • Use the same scoring scale across comparable moisture-sensitive materials and processes.

Inputs explained

  • Moisture impact severity score: Score the impact of hydrolysis, brittleness, bubbles, splay, film breaks, mechanical loss, or customer rejection.
  • Moisture occurrence score: Score likelihood using resin storage history, drying capability, ambient humidity, open bags, regrind, or prior defects.
  • Moisture detection score: Score how likely moisture analyzers, dew point alarms, incoming checks, or process controls catch the issue before production.

How to use the result

  • Use it before production trials, resin changes, storage changes, regrind use, or humid-season processing.
  • The score is qualitative; verify risk with measured moisture content, intrinsic viscosity, melt flow, mechanical tests, and process data.

Common questions

  • What scale should I use? Use your internal 1-5 or 1-10 FMEA scale and apply it consistently across materials and lines.
  • Does a high detection score mean good detection? In typical FMEA scoring, a higher detection score means weaker detection. Match the entry to your team's scoring rules.
  • Should PLA and PHA be scored separately? Yes, score materials separately when drying requirements, hydrolysis risk, or process windows differ.
  • How can I use the result? Use it to prioritize dryer upgrades, sealed storage, moisture testing, regrind limits, or supplier packaging improvements.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.