Summary of Contents for Hanatek MFI 4050
- Page 1 MELT FLOW INDEXER MODEL MFI 4050 OPERATING MANUAL V 1.3 Rhopoint Instruments Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 9AG, UK Tel. No. +44 (0)1424 739623 Fax No. +44 (0)124 730600 www.hanatekinstruments.com MFI 4050 Manual Issue V1.4 Jan 2016...
- Page 2 100 secs-1 coming possibly into the range of extrusion processes. The facility also exists to measure flow parameters at different temperatures, giving an insight as to the temperature sensitivity of the sample. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 3 Die Swell is the arithmetic ratio between the cooled extrudate at ambient temperature and the die diameter. Drawdown is the extending of the polymer extrudate by its own weight as it is extruded. Both these factors provide useful information for the blow Moulding Industry. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 4 15 minutes and the total barrel length to be controlled to + / - 0.2 deg. C. The HANATEK piston is made of solid steel and built precisely to the standard. The insulting sleeve and piston together are tarred to precisely 100gms.
- Page 5 WARNING DURING SET UP, TESTING AND CLEANING THE HANATEK MFI HAS HOT AREAS AROUND THE BARREL THAT CONSTITUTE BURNING HAZARDS- CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN AT ALL TIMES. SUITABLE PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR/CLOTHING/HEATPROOF GLOVES SHOULD BE WORN WHERE NECESSARY. CARE SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN WHEN HANDLING WEIGHTS ASSEMBLY 1.
- Page 6 6. Unpack the remainder of the test accessories and place them in the tool holders located on the top plate of the instrument. Temperature Probe Test Piston Cleaning Probe Cut Off Knife Die Cleaning Broach Testing Die + Optional Spare MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 7 Push the piston into the weight and release the ring-pull to lock it into place. 4. Select System from the main screen. 5. Press the – button next to Lift to manually lower the piston towards the opening of the barrel. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 8 Use an Alan Key to move the supporting cones up and down. 7. Once aligned press the + button next to the text Lift to raise the lift platform back to the top. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 9 Ensure the die retaining slide plate is in position. Place the die in the barrel. The die and die retaining slide in position- ready to begin testing. Place the test weight on to lift mechanism. Lift the displacement sensor is attached to the weight. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 10 Power up the instrument by switching on the red mains power buttons at the rear of the instrument. Then press and hold the round push button at the side of the instrument until the screen turns on. Touch the screen to continue. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 11 Before proceeding to the test menus, the operator should check the options. This is where the die type and test weight are selected. The instrument is pre-set for the standard test conditions- 2.16 KG weight and 2.0950mm die. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 12 Test selection screen Standard Test The Standard test should be used for any material where the exact melt density is known. This test calculates MFI, MVF, Shear Stress and Shear Rate. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 13 Once this period has elapsed the instrument will prompt the user to remove the lock pin or R clip so that the test mass is free from the weight lift system. Test Type (Standard Test only) The test is defined by test distance (mm) or test time (mins). MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 14 10 locations. Before beginning the test use the + and – buttons to select an empty location or a previously saved value that can be overwritten. Performing a Standard Test 1. As described in the previous section configure the test parameters MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 15 Once the set temperature has been reached the instrument will continue to monitor the temperature to ensure a stable temperature. This can take approximately 5 minutes. When the test temperature is MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 16 Pressing the Ready button will raise the piston out of the barrel. CAUTION PISTON WILL BE HOT 5. Fill the barrel with approximately 4 grams of polymer using the filling funnel supplied, Remove funnel after use MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 17 CAUTION FUNNEL WILL BE HOT 6. Press OK to lower piston into barrel MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 18 9. After the test is complete the test results will be shown and the option to Print the results or clean the instrument. Note The instrument should be cleaned after every use. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 19 If in doubt of a polymers MELT DENSITY value, use this method to calculate it before undertaking fully automated testing. Additional Equipment Required: Precision Balance (minimum accuracy 0.005 g) 1. As described in the previous section configure the test parameters MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 20 Select a memory slot that contains a result no longer required. 3. Place the die in the barrel and fit the piston to the test weight. Pressing OK will lower the piston into the barrel so that all parts reach the test temperature. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 21 Pressing the Ready button will raise the piston out of the barrel. CAUTION PISTON WILL BE HOT 5. Fill the barrel with approximately 4 grams of polymer using the filling funnel supplied, Remove funnel after use. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 22 8. At the end of the conditioning time the weight lift system is lowered and the piston and weight are left to force though the polymer under test. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 23 12. When the test is completed the Instrument will prompt the user to input the weight for each sample. Press enter to access the key pad and manually input the weight to 3dp. If there was a problem cutting off a particular MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 24 (See cleaning cycle below) Printing the results with the optional printer will give a time and date stamped self adhesive label that can be attached to the job sheet or sample bag. Additional calculations are also reported. MFI 4050 V1.3...
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Page 25: Cleaning The Instrument
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT MFI 4050 V1.3... - Page 26 Use the cut off knife to remove any material from the die retainer slide. 2. Remove the test piston and scrape any remaining polymer from the shaft using the cut off knife. Use a cleaning patch to remove any further residue. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 27 Remove the patch when it passes out the bottom of the barrel. Repeat this with a new patch three times or until the patch is uncontaminated after being passed through the barrel. TEMPRATURE VERIFICATION MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 28 Precise temperature measurement is essential for accurate MFI testing. The Hanatek MFI instrument uses 3 independently controlled heater bands each with their own precision RTD temperature sensor to accurately monitor and control the temperature of the barrel. To verify the accuracy of the barrel temperature the operator can use the external temperature probe.
- Page 29 For further information on calibrating the MFI contact Hanatek instruments AUTO SHUT DOWN and EMERGANCY STOP The Hanatek MFI instrument has been designed with maximum safety in mind. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 30 The heaters will turn off and the lift mechanism will stop in its current position. To release the Emergency stop button twist it clockwise. The instrument can then be re-powered up using the push button switch on the side of the instrument. Power Down MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 31 The Hanatek MFI is supplied calibrated. We recommend re-certifying the instrument annually. This can be done by a Hanatek approved calibration engineer or the user can self certify the instrument using a Hanatek Calibration pack. The calibration pack will enable the user to calibrate the instrument using UKAS certified calibration artefacts.
- Page 32 UKAS calibration laboratory this piece of calibration equipment is used to calibrate the MFI with the new inner barrel fitted. Power up the instrument Press calibrate Enter the serial number of the calibration pack. Enter the calibration code for the calibration pack. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 33 Follow the on screen prompts to perform a full temperature calibration on the MFI instrument. Please be aware that the full calibration can take several hours and during this time the instrument will be heating up to its maximum working temperature. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 34 Press and hold all 3 buttons on the front of the MFI instrument and at the same time press the on switch at the side. The Hanatek Intro Screen will be displayed. Continue to hold the 3 buttons below the touch screen until the next screen is displayed.
- Page 35 Touch to complete the touch calibration. Set the new date and time and press EXIT. MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 36 Die Broach Die Plug Gauge Cleaning Tool Cut-off Knife Cleaning Patches (45/box) Spirit Level Heat Resistant Gloves OPTIONAL EXTRAS AVAILABLE FROM RHOPOINT / HANATEK Additional Test Weight Results Printer SERVICE Contact- HANATEK Instruments: Telephone No: +44 (0)1424 739623 Fax Number:...
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Page 37: Appendix A- Thermoplastic Materials And Their Abbreviations
Medium Density P/E HDPE High Density P/E HMWPE High Molecular Weight P/E UHMWPE Ultra High Molecular Weight P/E Polypropylene Ethylene Vinyl Acetate EPDM Elastomer Modified P/E - P/P CELLULOSICS Cellulose/Acetate Cellulose/Propionate Cellulose/ Acetate/Butyrate ACRYLICS PMMA Polymethylmethacrylate. ACETALS Polyoxymethylene MFI 4050 V1.3... - Page 38 MFI 4050 V1.3...
- Page 39 Article 9 of the WEEE Directive. Please contact us on +44 (0) 1424-739622 and we will advise on the process for returning these waste products so we can all contribute to the safe recycling of these materials. MFI 4050 V1.3...