ISSUE DATE: 8/30/12 TITLE : MELT FLOW TESTER PAGE 1 of 2 AIM: To ensure data produced through the use of the melt flow tester are correct. SCOPE: This document covers the procedure to obtain molding material property values using the melt flow tester. FLOW: 1. 2. 3. 22. 23. Turn the testing machine on with the switch on back On display panel press “PROG” button Using the buttons underneath the display, select the correct program to run. Programs are named “Plastic” or “Neo” depending on what material is used The machine will heat up to the necessary temperature (270 C for Neo material) Make sure the die and plunger are completely cleared of any previous material Place the die and plunger in the machine and allow 20 minutes to heat up Put on lab coat, gloves & face shield Remove the plunger, if stuck twist counter-clockwise Fill the 10ml beaker with material Slowly pour the material into the orifice via the funnel As the material reaches the top of the orifice, stop pouring Use the packing tool to tamp down the material, packing it as tightly as possible. If some material extrudes that is fine Repeat this process with approx 15-20 ml of material used in total Replace the plunger in the orifice and add the specified weight Press “RUN” button underneath the display to start the program The melt time will then start and some material should flow out of the die The machine will beep when the melt time is over After the melt time is over the material already extruded should be moved away Using the pallet knife make a clean cut across the die and move any excess material away At the same time as this first cut is made press the “RUN” button on the tester under the display panel The material flowing out of the tester now is the collection sample that must be massed After the cut time is up the machine will beep again Make a 2nd cut in the same way as the 1st and move the sample away 24. 25. 26. 27. Press down on the plunger to force out any material left in the orifice Remove plunger and clean it immediately Use cleaning tool and cloth to clean out the barrel of the machine Using drill bit, clear the hole of the die 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. wiwtcnt.doc ISSUE DATE: 8/30/12 TITLE : MELT FLOW TESTER PAGE 2 of 2 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. Using the die removal tool, raise the die to the top of the barrel and clean away any excess material Press “NEXT” button underneath the display to get to menu where the mass of the sample should be entered Mass the sample and then enter mass into machine Record the MFR (melt flow rate) which is given in g/10 min After the barrel is clean replace plunger and wait 10 minutes to allow proper heating Additional information is available in the manual for the tester and can be referenced under Method A Prepared By: Approved By: Date: Date: wiwtcnt.doc