Melt Flow Index Machines

What Is Melt Flow Index (MFI) and Why Is It Important?

The Melt Flow Index (MFI) measures the ease at which a thermoplastic polymer’s melt flows. It is expressed in g/10 mins, where g denotes the weight in grams of the melt that passes through in 10 minutes. 

Most polymers are made up of molecular chains that are arranged in different orders of lengths. This arrangement is responsible for the flow’s characteristics. The molecular nature of this arrangement makes it challenging to have control over how much the chain’s length will be during polymerization. 

As a result, if the melt flow index is not maintained consistently throughout the process, the resulting polymer will not meet the required quality, endurance and performance parameters. 

This can have costly implications on a larger scale, making it challenging for businesses to produce the same standard of results for every batch. It slows down the overall process while making it challenging for the business to reach its goal by maintaining quality standards. 

What are Melt Flow Index Machines?

A melt flow index machine (also known as an MFI tester) is used to determine the quality of the plastic materials. The MFI tester is particularly useful for measuring how easily the molten plastic flows when passed through a tube with narrow dimensions. The testing is done for specific temperatures and pressures. 

The MFI has a heated barrel paired with a piston along with an orifice through which the molten polymer is extruded after it has been subjected to weight and temperature. The resultant extrudate is then taken into account to calculate the melt flow rate. The final measurement is taken into account to understand the polymer’s behaviour, flow properties and viscosity. 

This gives a clear indication of how durable the product made from the melt will be and the areas it can be used. MFI machines also offer peace of mind when it comes to ensuring product quality, making the production process more sustainable and for material selection. 

Parts of the Melt Flow Index Machines

• Monitor: A digital display device that shows MFI values and other parameters by plotting a graph for better visualisation of changes taking place in the monitor.
• Printer: The device helps in recording the graphs and other parameters recorded by the MFI testing machine. 
• PLC: Also known as the programmable logic controller that is used to control different components and parameters to ensure accurate measurements during the testing. 
• Furnace Chamber: The chamber where the plastic sample to be tested is placed. 
• Spatula: A tool that is used to place the plastic sample in the die of the MFI testing machine. 
• Displacement Sensor: A sensor to measure the extent of displacement of the piston as the molten polymer flows out of the die. 

Choosing the Best Melt Flow Index Test Manufactures & Suppliers

Opting for a melt flow index testing machine that aligns with your unique needs is essential to ensure outputs that match your requirements. From testing parameters to ease of use, the factors to consider before partnering with a manufacturer and supplier are:

• There’s an automatic feature for data logging, storage, and retrieval of test results.
• The extent of compatibility the testing machine has with your specific needs.
• If the testing machine is able to maintain the desired temperature within a tight tolerance range.
• The machine offers a precise and stable temperature control option to offer flexibility with polymer testing. 
• To ensure accuracy in results and precision, varying load capacity and automated sample cutting for low—and high-viscosity materials are feasible.