Melt Flow Index Test (MFI)

Definition:
It is defined as the measurement of the rate of extrusion
of molten resin through a die of specified length &
diameter under prescribed conditions of temperature and
pressure in 10 min. The unit of MFI is g/10 min.
Test Methods:
ASTM D 1238
ISO 1133-1991
Test Apparatus:
• Test Sample
• Steel Cylinder
• Die
• Heater
• Piston
• Load
• Thermometer
•Weighing Balance
Test Sample: The test specimen should be in the form of
powder, granules, strips or film or molded slugs of
Thermoplastics material

Steel Cylinder:

Die: The outside of the steel die shall be 9.5504 ± 0.0076

mm in diameter that it will fall freely to the bottom of the
steel cylinder. The die shall have 2.0955 ± 0.0051 mm in
inner Dia. And 8 ± 0.025 mm in length.

Heater: The heater must have the capacity to heating the

apparatus and maintain the temperature ± 0.2°C at 10 mm
above the die.
Piston: The piston shall be made of steel with an
insulating bush at the top as a barrier to restrict the heat
flow from the piston to load. The land of the piston shall
be 9.4742 ± 0.0076 mm in Dia. and 6.35 ± 0.13 mm in
length.

Load: The cylindrical steel load has different weight in

size based on the material such as 0.0.325 kg, 1.2 kg,
2.16 kg, 3.8 kg, 5.0 kg, 10 kg, 12.5 kg, 21.6 kg, 31.6 kg.

Weighing Balance: The weighing balance should have

the capacity to measure the four decimal of weight of the
sample.
Test Procedure: Place the thermometer on the hold
provided. The set temperature stabilizes for 5 min. than
charge the material using tool without any air gap. Then
apply the load over the piston. Allow some time for
material to melt and soften and purge the material up to
the lower mark of the piston. Then start the stopwatch
and start cutting off the extrudate depending upon the
flow.

Calculations: 30 Sec., 1 min, 3 min, or 6 min intervals

and tabulate the weight of the extrudate.

Flow rate = (m/t) x 600

Where m = mass of extruded, t = time of piston travel

for length L. (sec), 600 = conversion factor to convert in
sec.
 Factors Influencing:
1. Preheat Time. If the cylinder is not preheated for a
specified length of time. This causes the flow rate to vary
considerably.
2. Moisture. Moisture in the material, especially a highly
pigmented one, causes bubbles to appear in the
extrudate. The weight of the extrudate is significantly
influenced by the presence of the moisture bubbles.
3. Packing. The sample resin in the cylinder must be
packed properly by Pushing the rod with substantial force
to allow the air entrapped between the resins Pellets to
escape.
4. Volume of Sample. In order to achieve the same
response curve. Repeatedly, the volume of the sample in
the cylinder must be kept constant.