The BRT-400B Precision Melt Flow Index Tester is a high-accuracy laboratory extrusion plastometer engineered strictly in accordance with ISO 1133, GB/T 3682, ASTM D1238, and ASTM D3364 standards. Designed for plastic raw material producers, compounders, masterbatch manufacturers, and quality control laboratories, it evaluates the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and thermal rheological behavior of thermoplastics under standardized temperature and load conditions.
Equipped with micro-machined extrusion components, including a standard Φ2.095 ± 0.005 mm tungsten carbide die and a precision Φ9.550 ± 0.025 mm charging barrel, this Melt Flow Index Tester guarantees accurate volumetric and gravimetric flow measurements. Featuring a microcomputer PID temperature control unit operating from 30 °C to 450 °C (±0.2 °C stability) and an 8-level calibrated load assembly (0.325 kg to 21.600 kg), the BRT-400B provides certified melt flow rate characterization for PE, PP, ABS, POM, nylon, polycarbonate, and fluoroplastics.
Melt Flow Index Tester Standards & Compliance
This high-precision melt flow rate apparatus enables quality assurance and research laboratories to conduct standardized polymer flow property testing across major global testing frameworks:
| Standard Code |
Standard Title & Scope |
Primary Testing Application |
| ISO 1133 (Parts 1 & 2) |
Plastics — Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics |
International core benchmark for mass and volume extrusion testing of polymers |
| GB/T 3682 (Parts 1 & 2) |
Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics |
Mandatory Chinese national testing standard for raw plastic resins and masterbatches |
| ASTM D1238 / ASTM D3364 |
Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer |
North American standard for melt index verification of polyolefins and modified PVC |
Technological Features of BRT-400B Melt Flow Index Tester
- Wide Temperature Range (30 °C to 450 °C) & High Thermal Stability
Driven by a microcomputer PID temperature control system with high-precision sensors, maintaining tight thermal uniformity across the heating chamber within ±0.2 °C.
- Micro-Toleranced Extrusion Barrel & Die Assembly
Features a precision-ground Φ9.550 ± 0.025 mm charging barrel and a Φ2.095 ± 0.005 mm tungsten carbide discharge die, ensuring friction-free piston motion and repeatable mass flow rate (MFR) data.
- 8-Level Calibrated Standard Load Set (0.325 kg to 21.600 kg)
Includes a complete set of precision-machined weights with less than 0.5% relative manufacturing error, supporting standard test loads from 0.325 kg up to 21.600 kg.
- Universal Thermoplastic Material Compatibility
Engineered to evaluate commodity plastics (PE, PP, PS, ABS) as well as high-temperature engineering resins requiring elevated melt points (PA, PC, POM, fluoroplastics).
- Compact, Low-Maintenance Laboratory Footprint
Compact chassis design (250 × 360 × 514 mm) with corrosion-resistant internal components, providing anti-vibration stability and long-term baseline consistency without signal drift.
Technical Specifications of Melt Flow Index Tester
| Product Model |
BRT-400B Melt Flow Index Tester (MFR Apparatus) |
| Governing Test Standards |
ISO 1133, GB/T 3682, ASTM D1238, ASTM D3364 |
| Discharge Orifice (Die) Dimensions |
Diameter: Φ2.095 ± 0.005 mm; Length: 8.000 ± 0.025 mm |
| Charging Barrel Dimensions |
Internal Diameter: Φ9.550 ± 0.025 mm; Length: 152 ± 0.1 mm |
| Piston Rod Head Dimensions |
Head Diameter: 9.475 ± 0.015 mm; Head Length: 6.350 ± 0.100 mm |
| Temperature Range & Accuracy |
Range: 30 °C to 450 °C; Control Accuracy: ±0.2 °C |
| Weight Manufacturing Error |
Relative mass error ≤ 0.5% across all 8 load levels |
| Dimensions & Power Supply |
250 × 360 × 514 mm (L × W × H); AC 220V ± 10%, 50 Hz |
Standard Test Load Configurations (8 Levels)
| Load Level |
Total Applied Test Load |
Load Weight Composition Breakdown |
| Level 1 |
0.325 kg |
Piston rod + Weight tray + Heat insulation sleeve + No. 1 weight body |
| Level 2 |
1.200 kg |
0.325 kg (Base) + No. 2 weight (0.875 kg) |
| Level 3 |
2.160 kg |
0.325 kg (Base) + No. 3 weight (1.835 kg) |
| Level 4 |
3.800 kg |
0.325 kg (Base) + No. 4 weight (3.475 kg) |
| Level 5 |
5.000 kg |
0.325 kg (Base) + No. 5 weight (4.675 kg) |
| Level 6 |
10.000 kg |
0.325 kg (Base) + No. 5 weight (4.675 kg) + No. 6 weight (5.000 kg) |
| Level 7 |
12.500 kg |
0.325 kg (Base) + No. 5 weight (4.675 kg) + No. 6 weight (5.000 kg) + No. 7 weight (2.500 kg) |
| Level 8 |
21.600 kg |
0.325 kg (Base) + Combination of Weights No. 2 through No. 8 |
Testing Workflow & Target Applications
Standardized Testing Workflow:
- Heat the charging barrel to the target test temperature specified by ISO 1133 or ASTM D1238 (e.g., 190 °C for PE or 230 °C for PP).
- Load the specified mass of plastic granules or powder into the Φ9.550 mm barrel using the charging funnel and pack the material to remove air voids.
- Insert the piston assembly, allow the required preheating period (typically 4–5 minutes), and load the chosen test weight (e.g., 2.16 kg or 5.0 kg) onto the tray.
- As the molten polymer extrudes through the Φ2.095 mm die, cut extrudates at precise time intervals using the manual or automated cutter.
- Weigh the cooled extrudate strands on an analytical balance and calculate the Melt Mass-Flow Rate (MFR) in grams per 10 minutes (g/10 min).
Target Customer Applications:
- Polyolefin resin synthesis and compounding plants (PE, PP, PS, EVA).
- Injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding quality control departments.
- Color masterbatch and functional additive additive loading verification.
- Third-party plastics testing laboratories and university materials science institutes.
Melt Flow Index Tester FAQ
Q1: What materials can be measured with the BRT-400B Melt Flow Rate Tester?
A: It is designed for thermoplastics across a wide melt temperature range, including Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyoxymethylene (POM), ABS resin, Polycarbonate (PC), Polyamide/Nylon (PA), and Fluoroplastics.
Q2: How are the different test loads configured on this machine?
A: The instrument includes eight distinct standard load levels ranging from 0.325 kg up to 21.600 kg. Loads are selected by combining the calibrated weight set (Weights No. 1 through No. 8) onto the piston rod tray.
Q3: Why is high temperature accuracy critical for MFR testing?
A: Thermoplastic melt viscosity is sensitive to thermal changes. A small shift in barrel temperature can cause significant variation in polymer flow velocity. The BRT-400B microcomputer controller maintains strict ±0.2 °C thermal stability to ensure repeatable data across batch runs.
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