Page 56 - Plastics News May 2023

TECHNOLOGY

Next-Gen Melt Index Testers Improve Repeatability, Accuracy, and Ease of
Use
ent application of test masses comes
standard with the MFi7. Cleaning is
facilitated with an easily removable
die retainer, and an automatic mate-
rial compaction system operates at
constant pressure, providing added
accuracy and repeatability. Auto-
mated purging and cylinder cleaning
allow effortless, rapid emptying of
materials remaining in the cylinder
after testing is complete. Load-cell
controlled compaction and empty-
ing phases avoid operator influences,
thus further boosting laboratory effi-
ciency and the consistency of test re-
sults. Options for the MFi7 melt index
new generation of melt index enable particularly accurate meas- tester include a manual mass selector
A testers from Instron reliably per- urements. The two systems cover for added operator safety and a safety
form a variety of tasks, from monitor- the entire range of requirements cover that prevents unintentional ac-
ing incoming materials to product de- for standard melt index tests in ac- cess to the machine's test areas.
velopment and process control. cordance with ISO 1133 and ASTM Three inputs via the user interface of
The compact, manually operated D1238, methods A, B, and C, accord- the control panel enable quick, easy
MFi5 is suited for fast and reliable ing to Instron. creation of test methods. Melt index
measurements via presets, while the Optional equipment for both melt in- test results are displayed in the form
modular MFi7 is designed to accom- dex testers includes a motor-driven of real-time graphs. Live help offered
modate an increasing volume of test- cutting device for precise, repeat- on each screen reduces the amount of
ing. able separation of the extrudate by training required for new operators,

Both models support test tempera- time (with 0.01-second accuracy) or and helps avoid costly errors during
testing, said Instron.
tures from 50° to 450°C (122° to position; automatic die plug opening;
842°F) and are equipped with test special pistons for high-flow materi- The MFi series is supported by In-
weights from 0.1 to 21.6 kg (3.5 oz als; and corrosion- and wear-resistant stron's Bluehill Melt software, which
to 47.6 lb). A piston travel transducer steel cylinders, pistons, and dies. is equipped with easy-to-understand
resolution of 0.005 mm and piston A motorized lifting device that handles icons and workflows to simplify user
displacement accuracy up to 0.02 mm the automatic, operator-independ- training and test setup.

56 PLASTICS NEWS May 2023