All About Melt Flow Index Testing Explained

Evaluating the quality of any polymer beforehand gives many benefits to the production process and the end product. The testing of quality can not only give an idea of how will that particular polymer will behave further during the production procedures but can also tell the manufacturer if it fits the set industry standards. Hence, evaluation of vital factors like the melt flow index of polymers is highly recommended. Let’s learn more about the procedure and the machine used for testing, the Melt flow index tester.

What is Melt Flow Index?

The Melt Flow Index or also abbreviated as MFI is a measurement of the ease of flow of the molten thermoplastic polymer material. It is explained as the total mass of the polymer tested (in grams) flowing within ten minutes through a vessel of a defined diameter and length under a specific load applied at a particular temperature. To allow this entire process without any error the user must be having a precision-based testing system.

What is the use of MFI value in polymer industries?

The tested MFI value is often used in conducting comparison analysis to compare distinct grades of the same polymer material so that the user or manufacturer of any polymer-based product can understand the molecular weight present in that batch or grade. This way the user can have an idea of the exact grade of polymer they want to use and choose the best suitable option for the further production process.

How can we test the MFI quality of a polymer?

To test the MFI of a polymer, first, we must take the polymer sample in the form of small granules, then we need to have a highly precise and standardised testing instrument, a Melt Flow Index Tester, that can help conduct the test. It is very important to have a good quality polymer testing instrument as the more precise design of the machine will be, the higher accuracy of the test results will achieve in test results.

The equipment is designed as per international testing standards like ASTM D1238 and ISO 1133. Aligned with such standards means a lot in the market. The results that are evaluated from such machines are the most precise and are accepted worldwide.