ASTM D1238 Explained

ASTM D1238 Explained

Melt Mass-Flow and Melt Volume-Flow Rate ASTM D1238 Extrusion rate of a resin through an orifice of defined dimensions at a specified temperature and load. Flo rates can !e used to differentiate grades or pro"ide a measure of degradation of a material as a result of molding. Melt Flo #ate $rocedures Procedure

Description

A

Manual %peration

&

Auto Automa mati tica call ll' ' Tim Timed ed Flo Flo #at #atee Mea Measu sure reme ment nt

(

Automaticall' Timed Flo #ate Measurement for )igh Flo #ate $ol'olefins *sing )alf+)eight, )alf Diameter Die

The testing conditions are most commonl' reported as temperature-load i.e. 1/0(-2.1 g4. 5n the  past se"eral test conditions ere gi"en alpha!etical designations, these designations are descri!ed  !elo.  !elo. )istorical Melt Flo #ate (onditions Condition Condition Temperatu emperature re !C" #oad $%"

A

126

0.326

&

126

2.1

(

160

2.1

D

1/0

0.326

E

1/0

2.1

F

1/0

21.

7

200

6

)

230

1.2

5

230

3.8



26

12.6

9

2:6

0.326

;

230

2.1

M

1/0

1.06

 <

1/0

10

%

300

1.2

$

1/0

6

=

236

1

#

236

2.1

S

236

6

T

260

2.1

*

310

12.6

>

310

2.1

?

286

2.1

@

316

6

The term Melt 5ndex is commonl' used in place of the Melt Flo #ate for pol'eth'lene at 1/0(-2.1 g. (ommon Melt Flo #ate (onditions !' Material Material

Condition

Acetals copol'mer and homopol'mer4

1/0-2.1 1/0-1.06

Acr'lics

230-1.2 230-3.8

Acr'lonitrile+!utadiene+st'rene

200-6.0 230-3.8 220-10

230-3.8 260-1.2 Acr'lonitrile-!utadiene-st'rene-pol'car!onate 26-3.8 26-6.0 (ellulose esters

1/0-0.326 1/0-2.1 1/0-21.0 210-2.1

Eth'lene+chlorotrifluoroeth'lene copol'mer

2:1.6-2.1

Eth'lene+tetrafluoroeth'lene copol'mer

2/:-6.0

 <'lon

2:6-0.326 236-1.0 236-2.1 236-6.0 2:6-6.0

$erfluoroeth'lene+prop'lene4 copol'mer

3:2-2.1

$erfluoroalox'alane

3:2-6.0

$ol'caprolactone

126-2.1 80-2.1

$ol'chlorotrifluoreth'lene

26-12.6

$ol'eth'lene

126-0.326 126-2.1 260-1.2 1/0-0.326 1/0-2.1 1/0-21.0 1/0-10 310-12.6

$ol'car!onate

300-1.2

$ol'monochlorotrifluoroeth'lene

26-21.

26-31. $ol'prop'lene

230-2.1

$ol'st'rene

200-6.0 230-1.2 230-3.8 1/0-6.0

$ol'terephthalate

260-2.1 210-2.1 286-2.1

$ol'"in'l acetal4

160-21.

$ol'"in'lidene fluoride4

230-21. 230-6.0

$ol'phen'lene sulfide4

316-6.0

St'rene acr'lonitrile

220-10 230-10 230-3.8

St'renic Thermoplastic Elastomer 

1/0-2.1 200-6.0

Thermoplastic Elastomer+Ether+Ester 

1/0-2.1 220-2.1 230-2.1 20-2.1 260-2.1

Thermoplastic elastomers TE%4

230-2.1

>in'lidene fluoride copol'mers

230-21. 230-6.0