A wide range of testing instruments plays their individual role in polymer quality testing. But one of the most important equipment which is known to be the primary need for any plastic testing lab is Melt flow index tester.
Intrinsic Viscosity or IV Value of Polymer
The polymer chain length of which a PET is composed of decides the molecular weight of the material and also the physical properties, which makes a PET, the most preferred packaging material. Intrinsic Viscosity or IV is the calculation of that molecular weight in polymer and state the polymer’s melting point, crystallinity, and tensile strength. It is utilized as a ranking bar for selecting the right PET material for a specific application and is tested on various points of the supply chain. It is also calculated at several stages in the R&D laboratories who develop new polymer variety and chemical industries who want to ensure high quality of their finished goods.
How to evaluate IV value with Melt Flow Indexer?
One technique that fulfills distinct range of requirements related to polymer quality analysis is the Melt flow index test. It uses a unique testing method which is based on the extrusion of the polymer through a die using a dedicated instrument such as the Melt Flow Index Tester. This instrument eradicates all factors such as health and safety requirements for working with solvents, consideration for the environment and the need for specialist personnel to carry out these tests in one single shot. It has been used by the many resin producers and processors and is a tried and tested method for measuring the IV of PET and other hygroscopic polymers.
Presto brings a highly precise Intrinsic viscosity tester which complies with multiple testing standards such as ASTM D 1238-1992, ISO 1133, IS 2267-1972, IS 2530-1963, IS 10810-1984 making it suitable for many industries. The test is carried out under predetermined conditions of temperature, load and piston position in a cylindrical cavity inside a heated metallic tube barrel.
It is equipped with a microprocessor-based PID temperature controller, with a temperature range from ambient to 400°C. The provision of automatic sample cutting makes it more unique for accurate and smooth operation.
