Could be, and good idea. If they're processing in a vacuum to avoid N2 and/or O2 and/or H2O chemistry, then a dry inert gas might be useful. Heating above 100

Could be, and good idea. If they're processing in a vacuum to avoid N2 and/or O2 and/or H2O chemistry, then a dry inert gas might be useful. Heating above 100°C to drive off H2O, followed by a purge with dry Ar might give the desired result without needing a vacuum system.