Precautions to be Taken While Conducting the MFI Test

Melt flow index is one of the prominent properties which explains the quality of plastics. It is the rate of flow of plastic, when it is melted at a certain temperature, through the orifice of the testing machine every ten minutes. The calculation of Melt Flow Index helps in analyzing different properties/attributes of a plastic material such as viscosity, chemical structure, strength and so on. The testing device used for testing the melt flow index of plastic material is called MFI tester. The best way to assure that the test is conducted accurately, is to ensure that the product is designed keeping in mind the standard ASTM D 1238.

Benefits of testing MFI

The role of MFI is important in testing the quality of plastics and related products. Calculating the MFR has utilized major privilege to judge the material acceptance in industries before initiating the manufacturing process. The Melt Flow Rate is inversely proportional to the molecular weight of the material. The higher the MFI of a plastic makes it easier to mold in any shape, but it may affect or reduce down the other properties such as impact resistance due to the less molecular weight of the plastic material.

The test results from the MFI tester help the manufacturers in enhancing the quality of the plastic resins to ensure that the best quality products are manufactured. While conducting the test there might be certain precautions that a layman should consider to get the best and accurate results. Let’s have a look.

• First of all make sure that the test condition should be followed according to the steps and procedure as defined in the standard ASTM D 1238.
• Secondly, the temperature of the barrel should be set as per the defined instructions. Open and clean the orifice appropriately to check for any trapped particles from previous test samples before performing a new test.
• Visually examine the orifice for any damage or scratches. Use a go-no-go tool to verify the diameter of the orifice. Also check the piston for any damages or scratches before performing the test.

To get the best test results, all the precautions that are mentioned above should be taken into consideration during the test procedure. Along with that, it is also important to ensure that the testing instrument which you have purchased is designed in compliance with the process and specifications as provided in the international standard ASTM D 1238.

If you are looking to buy the best plastic testing instruments for your testing laboratory, Pacorr testing Instruments has the solution for all your testing-related needs. Pacorr’s Melt Flow Index Testers are widely used to measure the MFI of different types and quality of resins and are used in different industries pan India. For more information on the Melt Flow Index Test Machine, contact our team of experts.