The Test Stand from PCE Instruments is used for rapid testing of the melt mass flow rate of plastics. The Test Stand is designed for incoming goods inspection as well as for continuous production monitoring. Due to the clear presentation of all relevant parameters on the 7 "touch display, the measurement results can be determined in a short time with the help of the melt index tester. The automatic cutting function also contributes to the high reproducibility of the Test Stand carried out with this device.

The already stored standard plastic materials save the user of the melt index tester tedious configuration processes; these include: PS, PP, PE, ABS, PC, PMMA and many more. In addition to the already integrated standard plastics, the test temperatures and test weights are stored in the melt index tester in compliance with the standard (ISO 1133). Non-stored materials with material-specific parameters can be permanently added and saved in the melt index tester at any time.

The Test Stand is therefore ideal for determining the melt flow index, which provides the information about the flow behaviour or the viscosity of the plastic materials at different temperatures and pressures. During this test in compliance with ISO 1133, the mostly granular sample is placed in a preheated cylinder and heated at a material-specific temperature. A piston with a defined mass, due to its own weight, afterwards presses the liquid melt through a nozzle with a defined diameter. After a specified period of time, the measurement on the melt index tester is stopped and the mass, that has been flowing through the nozzle, is determined by means of the analytical balances, as a result the mass / time value (g / 10min) is obtained, which is also referred to as the MFI value. The melt flow index is determined in order to examine and study the flow behaviour of thermoplastics. Due to the flow behaviour, the degree of polymerization can be derived, which on the other hand has an influence on the later mechanical properties of the molded plastic. Since plastics are sometimes sensitive to moisture, the increased moisture in the granules during the melting process during injection molding can lead to the shortened molecular chains and thus to poorer mechanical properties. It is therefore necessary to dry the granules to a suitable level of moisture before injection molding in order to avoid later quality losses on the finished product.

The Test Stand from PCE Instruments is therefore a very suitable tool for determining the melt mass flow rate for a wide variety of thermoplastic materials. In this way, even before the production, the important parameters for the subsequent manufacturing can be determined and adjusted if necessary. Thus, the melt index tester contributes to quality improvement in the production process, reduces the reject rate and thus contributes to a sustainable cost reduction.