Melt Flow Rate Testing Lab
- ASTM D1238 / ISO 1133 melt flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate (MVR) programs
- Method-appropriate test temperature, load condition, preheat timing, and extrusion setup
- Single-condition grade screening or comparative batch-consistency programs
- Alternate material-specific test conditions
- Engineering test report (PDF) with digital data delivery
- Method-appropriate outputs such as melt flow rate (MFR), melt volume-flow rate (MVR), test temperature, load, and method designation
- Raw data exports available on request, where applicable
- Exact deliverables depend on the selected method condition and reporting basis
Get Started
Tell us about the material, application, environment, and any method, standard, specimen, or conditioning constraints.
We’ll align the appropriate method, specimen requirements, and deliverables to your objectives, then provide a quote and test plan.
Send the purchase order and arrange delivery of materials or specimens so the program can move into scheduling and execution.
You’ll receive an engineering test report with digital data delivery, along with any agreed raw data or method-appropriate outputs.
FAQs
It depends on the material grade, selected test condition, and program design. Share what you have and we’ll confirm the appropriate sample form, quantity, and any drying/conditioning needs.
Melt flow testing extrudes molten polymer through a standard die under controlled temperature and load conditions, then reports melt mass-flow rate and, where applicable, melt volume-flow rate.
We support ASTM D1238 and ISO 1133 melt flow rate testing and can confirm the right path during the initial consult.
Yes—where applicable, programs can report both melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate (MVR) under the selected test conditions.
You receive an engineering test report (PDF) and digital data deliverables. Raw data exports are available on request where applicable. Exact outputs depend on the selected method condition and reporting basis.
MFR testing applies primarily to thermoplastics, including polyolefins, styrenics, polyesters, acrylics, fluoropolymers, and engineering plastics.
Typical turnaround for most testing is five business days, but timing can vary based on sample readiness, drying/conditioning, and test volume.
Tell us what you need back—MFR, MVR, test condition, raw data, reporting format, and any required standard. We’ll align the program and deliverables before testing begins.
The sections below provide the technical context, standards, specimen considerations, test procedures, and measurement details for this testing service.
Significance & Purpose
Melt Flow Rate (MFR) Testing measures the flowability of molten thermoplastic materials under standardized conditions of temperature and load. The MFR value provides insights into molecular weight, processability, and consistency of polymer batches. Although it is not a fundamental material property, it serves as a practical comparative tool for evaluating materials used in processes like injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding.
The primary objectives of MFR testing include:
- Quality Control: Monitoring batch-to-batch consistency in polymer production.
- Material Comparison: Comparing flow characteristics of different polymer grades.
- Process Optimization: Assisting in process parameter selection for molding and extrusion.
- Molecular Weight Estimation: Higher MFR generally correlates with lower molecular weight.
Standards
- ASTM D1238: Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer.
- ISO 1133: Plastics — Determination of the Melt Mass-Flow Rate (MFR) and Melt Volume-Flow Rate (MVR) of Thermoplastics.
These standards define test conditions, apparatus specifications, and result calculations to ensure repeatability and comparability across laboratories.
Tests
Tests in the DatapointLabs test catalog that reference melt flow rate testing are as follows:
Thermoplastics
| Test | Test Description | Standards |
|---|---|---|
| SR-010 | Melt Flow Rate | ASTM D1238 / ISO 1133 |
Principle of Operation
MFR testing involves extruding molten polymer through a die of specified dimensions under a constant load and temperature using an extrusion plastometer (commonly known as a melt flow indexer).
Key principles are as follows:
- Melt Mass-Flow Rate (MFR): Mass of polymer extruded over 10 minutes (g/10 min).
- Melt Volume-Flow Rate (MVR): Volume of polymer extruded per unit time (cm³/10 min).
- MVR can be converted to MFR if the material density at the test temperature is known.
Typical Procedure
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Sample Preparation:
- Condition the sample as required.
- Cut into uniform granules or pellets if necessary.
-
Test Setup:
- Preheat the melt flow indexer to the specified test temperature.
- Insert a pre-measured sample into the barrel.
- Apply a piston with a defined load.
-
Preheating and Material Stabilization:
- Allow the material to melt and stabilize for the time specified.
-
Test Execution:
- Manually or automatically start the test.
- Extrude molten polymer through a die of standard dimensions (typically 2.095 mm diameter and 8 mm length).
-
Measurement:
- Cut extrudate at regular intervals.
- Weigh the extrudate to determine the melt mass-flow rate (MFR).
Specimen Types
Specimens used by DatapointLabs in melt flow rate (MFR) testing are as follows:
| Specimen Type | DatapointLabs Test IDs |
|---|---|
| Pellets [Details] | SR-010 |
Characterization Measurements
Melt Flow Rate (MFR)
Melt Flow Rate (MFR) quantifies the mass of polymer flowing through the die in 10 minutes under specified temperature and load:
Melt Volume-Flow Rate (MVR) (if measured by piston displacement), alternatively quantifies the volume of polymer flowing through the die:
where A is the cross-sectional area of the piston.
Conversion between MFR and MVR:
Where ρmelt is the melt density of the material at the test temperature.
Typical Data Reported
- Melt Flow Rate (MFR): Rate of polymer mass flow through the die.
- Melt Volume-Flow Rate (MVR): Rate of polymer volume flow through the die.
Suitable Material Types
MFR testing applies primarily to thermoplastic materials, including:
- Polyolefins: PE, PP, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE.
- Styrenics: PS, ABS, SAN.
- Polyesters: PET, PBT.
- Acrylics: PMMA.
- Fluoropolymers: PTFE, PVDF.
- Engineering Plastics: PC, POM, PA.
Suitable Applications
- Injection Molding: Ensuring materials flow adequately for complex molds.
- Extrusion and Blow Molding: Verifying melt viscosity for film production.
- Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): Predicting extrusion behavior.
- Polymer Development: Comparing new material formulations.
- Quality Control: Monitoring batch-to-batch variations.
- Automotive and Aerospace: Ensuring materials meet processing specifications.
Conclusion
Melt flow rate (MFR) testing, following ASTM D1238 and ISO 1133, provides a simple, practical method for comparing the flow characteristics of thermoplastics. While not a fundamental material property, MFR values offer critical insights into molecular weight, processing behavior, and batch consistency, supporting efficient material selection, process optimization, and quality control across plastics processing industries.
