Melt Flow Index Apparatus
Melt flow index of thermoplastic materials is defined as the rate of flow in grams per ten minutes of extrudate of molten resins from a cylindrical cavity inside a heated metallic tube barrel through a jet of a specified length and diameter under prescribed conditions of temperature, load, and piston position.

The PROLIFIC Melt Flow Index Apparatus for thermoplastic materials consists of a heated extruder tube, a removable jet through which the material under test is extruded, and a piston and dead weights to apply the specified pressure on the material inside the extruder tube.

The extruder tube is made from hardened die steel and is heated by means of two band heaters, which surround its outer circumference. A PID type digital temperature indicator-cum-controller is provided to indicate and control the temperature of the tube accurately. The heaters are lagged with mineral wool for providing thermal insulation.

A cylindrical cavity is provided in the extruder tube for placing the test charge in during the test. The tube also has a hole parallel to the cavity for placing the temperature sensor in. The bottom of the tube is lagged with a 3 mm thick insulation of PTFE to prevent sticking of the extruder. A hollow metallic cylindrical shield is provided all around the extruder tube.

The jet through which the extruder is pushed out is made from hardened and ground die steel. It is placed at the bottom of the extruder cavity and can be removed for cleaning by pushing it from the lower side. The extruder assembly is mounted on a swivable metallic plate to enable it to be titled for removal of the die for cleaning.

A piston made from stainless steel, relieved at the upper end, is provided to apply pressure on the charge placed inside the cavity of the extruder tube. A sleeve is provided to guide the relieved portion of the piston. The top of the piston carries a platform for keeping the load on. The piston is thermally insulated from the load.

A sheet metal control panel is mounted on the side of the equipment and houses the temperature controller and other electrical components.

The equipment is finished in grey hammertone stoving painting and bright chrome plating to give it a corrosion resistant finish.

One cleaning tool for the test cavity, one cleaning tool for the hole in the jet, one packing rod for pressing the charge inside the cavity, one plug for closing the hole in the jet when testing high flow rate materials, one cutting tool for extrudate, and one tool for pushing out the jet for cleaning, are supplied with the equipment.

Dead weights for applying loads of 325 g, 1050 g, 2160 g, 5000 g, and 10000 g including the weight of the piston assembly are also supplied as standard accessories.

Automatic Model
The automatic model is equipped with a repeat cycle pre-set timer and a solenoid operated cutting system to repeatedly cut the extrudate after desired preset durations in addition to all the above features