Fiber enhanced slurries are successful in building shells with fewer dips because thicker individual dip layers are applied. Because of this, drying of these shells could be different than what is required for standard slurries.

The effect of dry time on Green and Hot/Wet shell strength was studied for Buntrock Industries fiber enhanced BI2010C fused silica slurries with and without polymer. Buntrock Industries TMM27 colloidal silica was used as the binder. Inter-dip dry times were 3,5, and 8 hours with final dry of 6,12, and 24 hours. All drying was performed at 40% R.H. with a fan.

The data show, that in this system, polymer increases Green MOR, but has a negative effect on Hot/Wet MOR. Green strength is relatively insensitive to inter dip dry time and somewhat sensitive to final dry time. Final drying in zero humidity significantly improves green strength.