Importance of Melt Flow Index Tester In The Manufacturing Industry

Plastic manufacturing is a vital industry known for contributing to economic growth. Plastics being far more cost-effective and durable than other materials like metals or glass makes them the manufacturer's favourite. Polymer is available in a waste range of varieties and requires less energy to produce, which makes it ideal for mass production. Plastics are lightweight and therefore used in various products, including electronics, automotive parts, packaging, appliances, etc.

The marketplace is saturated with various grades of polymer. Hence it is essential to test the quality of the polymer before selecting the raw material, as low-quality polymer often results in poor quality of the end product that can cause huge losses and damage the brand reputation. Testing materials help determine the flow properties of polymer material. Including a quality polymer tester within the production line can help test the quality of every batch of polymer and thus produce quality end products that are highly durable and cost-effective.

What Is MFI?

With so many polymer variants in the marketplace, selecting a suitable polymer material for your production line can be challenging. In addition to analyzing the compatibility of the manufacturing process, it is also essential to explore the benefits and shortcomings. The melt flow index tester is can help determine the polymer quality with accuracy and ease. Various advanced melt flow index tester instruments are equipped with a digital weighing scale to measure the quantity of polymer and calculate the MFI quickly.

MFI - melt flow index is an important parameter that provides valuable information regarding polymer quality. MFI can be calculated using a melt flow index tester. The testing equipment includes a heated barrel with a piston that helps force the molten polymer granules outside the orifice once it has melted. If the melt flow rate is high, then the result viscosity of the sample decreases. However, the viscosity is high if the melt flow rate is low.
Melt Flow Index Tester

Melt flow testers are used to analyze the quality of thermoplastics and their flow properties. The melt flow index (MFI) measures the rate at which molten polymer flows through a standardized orifice or nozzle at a specified temperature and pressure. The testers provide a quick and easy way to measure the MFI, an important parameter to determine the processability of polymers under various manufacturing conditions and applications.

There are various other forms of testing equipment in the marketplace; however, they are far more expensive, require more specialized training to operate, and may be more time-consuming than melt flow testers. Therefore, melt flow testers have several advantages compared to other forms of testers to analyze polymer quality.

Advantages of Melt Flow Index Tester:

• Quick and easy to perform
• Non-destructive testing
• Relatively inexpensive compared to other types of testers
• It can be used for both quality control and research and development applications
• Provide a single value (MFI) that is a good indicator of the polymer's flow properties

Final Thoughts

Investing in a melt flow index tester helps analyze thermoplastic polymers' physical and chemical properties. The melt flow index tester by Pacorr is one of the most advanced MFI testers available in the industry. The automatic tester can cut off the molten samples and has an inbuilt digital weighing service and MFR calculator. It is designed in compliance with ASTM D1992 & ISO 113. It has microprocessor-based temperature control for higher accuracy during tests. It has inbuilt Windows-based software and RS 232 port that allows users to access analysis reports on their computer system.