Method "A" Run
General Description
Calculations: Method A
Method A test involves collecting extrudate from the instrument over a fixed
period of time, then converting the result to grams/10 minutes. After the melt
time is over, a sample is collected by first cutting the extrudate across the orifice
face, then waiting a predetermined amount of time and then making a second
cut. (It is often very inconvenient or even impossible to wait 10 minutes) . The
sample is weighed and the flow rate is converted to grams of flow that would
have occurred over 10 minutes. Test temperatures can be obtained from the
manufacturer, from tables in ASTM D1238 or through experimentation.
Materials with Melt Flow Rates below 50 g/10 min. are generally done using
Method A.
Calculations for the Method A test are straightforward
MFR
M
600
T
where M is the mass in grams of material collected over time T in seconds. The
MFR value has units of g/10 min. (grams/10 minutes).
Power-Up
The instrument is turned on by throwing the switch located on the rear right top
corner of the instrument (as one faces the instrument). Toggle the switch to the
right and the unit will power-up.
The large, friendly VFD display will power up and display system information
as follows:
Melt Indexer Serial Number
XXXXXX
Model Number 400X
Ver 1.01
(c) DYNISCO POLYMER TEST, 1999
The instrument will beep twice after this screen. At that point, the screen will
refresh and the main menu screen will be displayed.
PROG # TEMPERATURE
TIME
METHOD PROGRAM NAME
STATUS
EDIT RUN
Introduction
Programming a Method A
The instrument is powered-on and the main menu screen is seen. If you plan to
use an existing method A program skip to step 4
NOTE: The unit will load the last program run into memory and attempt to
equilibrate the barrel temperature to that set-temperature.
Series 4000 Melt Indexer Operation Manual
Method "A" Run
21
