1 Scope
This part of ISO 1133 specifies a procedure for the determination of the melt volume-flow rate (MVR) and melt mass-flow rate (MFR) of thermoplastic materials that exhibit a high rheological sensitivity to the time-temperature history experienced by the sample during the test and/or to moisture.
NOTE 1 Some grades of materials affected by hydrolysis are of, for example, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT), poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN), other polyester types and polyamides; and by cross-linking are of, for example, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV). It is possible that this method will also be suitable for use with other materials.
It is possible that this method will not be appropriate for materials whose rheological behaviour is extremely affected during testing (see Note 2).
NOTE 2 For materials where the coefficient of variation of the MFR or MVR results is found to be higher than the precision mentioned in ISO 1133-1, the viscosity number in dilute solution (ISO 307, ISO 1628) can be more appropriate for characterization purposes.
NOTE 3 Minor deviations from the equipment requirements, procedure and/or sample handling can result in considerable loss of reproducibility, repeatability and accuracy of the measurement. MVR results determined on different materials, indicating the repeatability of the test method of this part of ISO 1133 when measured under ideal measurement conditions, are reported in Annex B.
MFR values can be determined by calculation from MVR measurements provided the melt density at the test temperature and pressure is known, or by measurement using a cutting device provided that the accuracy of the measurement is at least the same as that of the MVR measurement.
NOTE 4 The density of the melt is required at the test temperature and pressure. In practice, the pressure is low and values obtained at the test temperature and ambient pressure suffice.
The primary difference between this part of ISO 1133 and ISO 1133-1 is that this part of ISO 1133 specifies tighter tolerances on the temperature in the cylinder and on the time duration over which the material is subjected to that temperature. Thus the time-temperature history of the material is more tightly controlled and consequently, for materials that are likely to be affected by exposure to elevated temperatures, the variability of test results is reduced compared with whether the specifications of ISO 1133-1 were used.
This part of ISO 1133 also provides information for preparation and handling of moisture sensitive materials that again are critical to obtaining repeatable, reproducible and accurate data.
The test conditions for measurement of the MVR and MFR are often specified in the material standard. However, for those materials where there are no test conditions specified in the material standard, it is necessary for the test conditions to be agreed between the interested parties.