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.
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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
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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
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wiwtcnt.doc
ISSUE DATE: 8/30/12
TITLE : MELT FLOW TESTER
PAGE 2 of 2
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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