Melt flow index

The Melt Flow Index (MFI) is a measure of the ease of flow of the melt of a thermoplastic polymer. It is defined as the mass of polymer, in grams, flowing in ten minutes through a capillary of a specific diameter and length by a pressure applied via prescribed alternative gravimetric weights for alternative prescribed temperatures. Polymer processors usually correlate the value of MFI with the polymer grade that they have to choose for different processes, and most often this value is not accompanied by the units, because it is taken for granted to be g/10min. Similarly, the test conditions of MFI measurement are normally expressed in kilograms rather than any other units. The method is described in the similar standards ASTM D1238 and ISO 1133. To reduce equipment costs an open source hardware-based MFI has been developed and validated on several thermoplastics including polylactic acid, poly(ethylene) terephthalate glycol, and high-density polyethylene/poly(ethylene) terephthalate blends.

Melt flow rate is a measure of the ability of the material's melt to flow under pressure, and is an indirect measure of molecular weight, with high melt flow rate corresponding to low molecular weight. Melt flow rate is inversely proportional to viscosity of the melt at the conditions of the test, though it should be borne in mind that the viscosity for any such material depends on the applied force. Ratios between two melt flow rate values for one material at different gravimetric weights are often used as a measure for the broadness of the molecular weight distribution.

Melt flow rate is very commonly used for polyolefins, polyethylene being measured at 190 °C and polypropylene at 230 °C. The plastics engineer should choose a material with a melt index high enough that the molten polymer can be easily formed into the article intended, but low enough that the mechanical strength of the final article will be sufficient for its use.

ISO standard 1133-1 governs the procedure for measurement of the melt flow rate. The procedure for determining MFI is as follows:

Synonyms of Melt Flow Index are Melt Flow Rate and Melt Index. More commonly used are their abbreviations: MFI, MFR and MI.

Confusingly, MFR may also indicate "melt flow ratio", the ratio between two melt flow rates at different gravimetric weights. More accurately, this should be reported as FRR (flow rate ratio), or simply flow ratio. FRR is commonly used as an indication of the way in which rheological behavior is influenced by the molecular weight distribution of the material.

formerly: (MFI = Melt Flow Index) → currently: (MFR = Melt mass-Flow Rate)

formerly: (MVI = Melt Volume Index) → currently: (MVR = Melt Volume-flow Rate)