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MELT FLOW INDEX APPARATUS

            Melt Flow of thermoplastic material is defined as the rate of flow in grams per ten minutes of extrudate of molten resins through a jet of a specified length and diameter under prescribed conditions of temperature, load & piston position in a cylindrical cavity inside a heated metallic tube barrel at the measurement is being made.

The ASIAN Melt Flow Index Apparatus for Plastic consists of a heated extruder tube, an interchangeable jet through which the material under test is extruded, and a piston with dead weights to apply the specified pressure on the material inside the extruder tube.

The extruder tube is made from carbon steel and is heated by means of a Bend Heater, which surrounds its outer circumference. A PID controller is provided to indicate & control the temperature of the tube. The tube has a hole parallel to its bore for placing the thermocouple junction. The heater logged with mineral wool insulation. The assembly is fixed on a rigid stand. The bottom of the tube is lagged with a 3 mm thick insulation of PTFE to prevent sticking of the extrudate.

The jet through with the extruder is pushed out is made from hardened and ground die steel. It is held at the bottom of the extruder tube.

The piston made from silver steel relieved at the upper end is provided to push the extrudate out of the jet. The piston moves inside the cavity of tube. A sleeve to provide to guide the relieved portion of the piston. The top of the piston carries a plate-form for keeping the load on. The plate-form is thermally insulated from the load.

The extruder tube assembly is mounted on a metal box. A sheet metal control panel is mounted on the side of the equipment & houses the PID Controller, DIGITAL PRESET TIMER @other electronic components.

Cleaning tools for tube cavity and jets & stoppers & cutter for the extrudate are also supplied with the equipments.

TECHNICAL DATA:
Temperature Range                   : Ambient to 299.9° C.
Diameter of heater tube cavity   : 9.55 mm.
Dimensions of piston head        : 9.47 mm Diameter X 6.35 mm Long
Dimensions of jets holes           : 2.095 mm X 8.00 mm Long
Weights                                    : 325 gm, 1050 gm, 2160 gm & 5000 gm.

RELATED STANDARD:
ASTM-D- 1238 – 1982                : Standard test method for flow rate of Thermoplastic by Extrusion Plastometer.