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Aflow Extrusion Plastometer

The fully automatic all-rounder Download
Test methods
  • MFR
  • MVR
  • Multi-stage test
Test volume
  • High
Applications
  • 24/7 operation in QA
  • Flexible in F&E
Methods
  • Method A
  • Method B
  • Method C
  • Method D

Aflow at a glance Videos Advantages & features Request a quotation

Overcoming the challenges of melt index testing with the Aflow

The Aflow is characterized by its high level of automation. Whether simple cleaning and defined pre-compaction at the press of a button, or steplessly adjustable test loads, the Aflow extrusion plastometer adapts to your testing needs:

  • The Aflow was specially developed for research and development, shift work with changing operators and production control, where speed, operator-independent testing and a high level of repeatability and reproducibility of test results play an important role.
  • The instrument supports worldwide common standards and methods: ISO 1133, ASTM D1238, ASTM D3364, JIS K 7210 for MFR and MVR measurement according to methods A, B, C and D.

The Aflow can be operated as a stand-alone instrument using its modern touch display, or with ZwickRoell’s testXpert testing software via PC.

Optimize ASTM D1238 Testing with ZwickRoell 

Automate MFR and MVR test sequences with the force-controlled Aflow extrusion plastometer. Enhance efficiency, ensure reproducibility, and simplify compliance across different locations and users. Learn more…

Aflow extrusion plastometer at a glance
Standards ISO 1133, ASTM D1238, ASTM D3364, JIS K 7210
Weight levels 0.325 ... 50 kg
Typical measurement range Approx. 0.1 g/10 min ... approx. 900 g/10 min

High level of automation

  • Optionally: fully automatic detection of the appropriate test sequence, or control of the preheating phase via set value specification MFR, MVR, plus automatic detection of the correct test parameters (APC function), or definition of the test sequences based on test parameters
  • Automatic load application
  • Control of the preheating phase by reducing or increasing the test load up to 50 kg
  • Automatic start of the measurement
  • Instrument-controlled pre-compacting according to force and time specification
  • Instrument-supported purging of residual material and cleaning
Test Methods Test results Level of automation
Method A

MFR in g/10 min
  • Motorized cutting of extrudate at constant time or displacement intervals
  • Manual weighing of extrudate on analytical balance
  • Automatic calculation of result
  • Graphical representation
Method B

MVR in cm³/10 min

Melt density, apparent shear rate, apparent shear stress, apparent viscosity
  • Test control according to time or displacement intervals
  • Continuous displacement and MVR measurement
  • Detection of bubble inclusions or errors
  • Automatic calculation of results
  • Graphical representation of measurement sequences, results and statistics
Method C
half-die
Method D
multi-weight test

MFR, MVR, FRR

Melt density, apparent shear rate, apparent shear stress, apparent viscosity
  • Control of the test sequence via parameters specification
  • Weight sequence optionally increasing or decreasing
  • Stepless adjustability of the test loads
  • Free selection of the waiting time after changing the test load

Videos: Aflow Extrusion Plastometer

Next Generation Xflows: Extrusion plastometer AflowNext Generation Xflows: Extrusion plastometer Aflow

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Melt flow testing with the fully automated Aflow extrusion plastometer: reliable test results for laboratories in R&D, 24-hour shift operation and in the area of production control based on its high level of automation.
Aflow and testXpert: fully automated and standard compliant melt flow testing in accordance with ASTM D1238Aflow and testXpert: fully automated and standard compliant melt flow testing in accordance with ASTM D1238

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Standard-compliant melt flow testing to ASTM D123 and ISO 1133 using the Aflow and our testXpert testing software: fully automated melt flow testing with the Aflow extrusion plastometer and testXpert testing software

Advantages and features of the Aflow

New automated process maximizes test efficiency
Time savings and ergonomic operation through optimal test sequence
Quick cleaning and pre-compacting
Flexibility due to stepless test load up to 50 g
Intuitive and workflow oriented touch operation
Space savings when testing with multiple instruments

New automated process maximizes test efficiency

This function enables testing of unknown plastic materials without pretests to determine the test parameters.

Learn more

Time savings and ergonomic operation through optimal test sequence

The pneumatic pre-compaction feature allows the polymer to be defined and evenly pre-compacted at the press of a button—saving time and effort. To further accelerate the test procedure after the test, it is possible to eject the remaining material from the extrusion barrel with a force of up to 80 kg and then clean it with a pneumatic cleaning device at the press of a button.

Focus_user_cleaning position__FO

Quick cleaning and pre-compacting

Aflow's pneumatic cleaning device enables cleaning and pre-compacting to be performed at a preset pressure. The Clean and Pre-compact option allows variable adjustment of the cleaning and pre-compacting pressure, while a switch on the cleaning unit allows one of the two pressure steps to be selected.

Flexibility due to stepless test load up to 50 g

Test loads in Aflow can be adjusted steplessly from 0.325 kg to 50 kg. A multi-stage test can be performed effortlessly to Method D purely by means of presets in the software. This allows several tests with different weight stages to be carried out with a single barrel filling.

touchscreen-fo

Intuitive and workflow oriented touch operation

  • The new standardized operating philosophy allows the operator to move easily between the instrument and the PC.
  • All test-related settings are grouped logically and are separated from higher-level system settings. The operator is guided through the test configuration step by step. The saved test configuration can be easily exported and transferred to other instruments.
  • Integrated user management reduces the number of operator input options to a minimum. Users see only what is important to them so they can focus on the task at hand right from the start.
  • The MVR is shown live in graphic form, in both stand-alone mode and in the ZwickRoell testing software. This allows both melting process and behavior to be followed precisely during measurement.
6-instruments-1pc-aflow-mflow-fo

Space savings when testing with multiple instruments

In labs with multiple instruments, testXpert III makes it possible to configure and control up to six Aflow and/or Mflow extrusion plastometers with one PC. Central operation and the saving of results from a single workplace is rational and affords a quick overview of all tests currently in progress. For a clear overview of operations, we recommend using two monitors.

The benefits of operating an extrusion plastometer with testXpert III are:

  • Automatic bubble detection that prevents measurement errors caused by air inclusions by detecting them in the plastic melt
  • Live display of the melt volume rate that follows the progress of melting and the behavior during measurement and graphically or numerically displays the test piston speed when the test starts in cm³ per 10 min. or in g per 10 min. when the melt density is preselected

If you have any questions or would like to know more about these test method or products for melt flow testing, please contact us.

Our experts are here to help you.

Contact us

Alternative extrusion plastometers

Cflow Extrusion Plastometer The compact one
Test methods
  • MFR
Test volume
  • Low
Applications
  • Incoming goods inspection
Methods
  • Method A
To the product
Mflow Extrusion Plastometer The modular one
Test methods
  • MFR
  • MVR
Test volume
  • Average
Applications
  • Incoming goods inspection
  • Teaching & training
  • Production control
  • F&E
Methods
  • Method A
  • Method B
  • Method C
To the product

More information on melt flow testing

ASTM D1238 & ASTM D3364 determination of melt flow rate MVR, MFR and FRR
Plastics | Melt flow test (MFR, MVR, FRR)
ASTM D1238, ASTM D3364
Determination of melt mass-flow rate (MFR), melt volume-flow rate (MVR), flow rate ratio (FRR)
to Plastics | Melt flow test (MFR, MVR, FRR)
ASTM D1238 standard update as of February 17, 2023
ASTM D1238 standard update
The latest version of the ASTM D1238 standard, released on February 17, 2023, supports the use of force-controlled extrusion plastometers for the determination of MFR and MVR values. With this update, the standard opens up new control possibilities, in particular when it comes to the preheating phase of the test sequence.
to ASTM D1238 standard update
ISO 1133-1 and ISO 1133-2: Melt flow index testing plastics MFR / MFI & MVR
Plastics | Melt flow test (MFR, MVR)
ISO 1133, ISO 1133-1, ISO 1133-2
Determination of melt mass-flow rate (MFR or MFI), melt volume-flow rate (MVR)
to Plastics | Melt flow test (MFR, MVR)
MVR test plastics, MFR test plastics and additional characteristic values of the melt flow test
Plastics | MFR & MVR determination, general information
MFR and MVR tests and other characteristic values of melt flow tests on plastics
Overview of the melt flow test incl. definition of the test methods for MFR and MVR tests and determined characteristic values, comparison between the test methods and standards ISO 1133, ASTM D1238 and ASTM D3364.
to Plastics | MFR & MVR determination, general information

Downloads

Name Type Size Download
  • Product brochure: Extrusion plastometers PDF 3 MB
  • Product information: Aflow extrusion plastometer PDF 90 KB
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