Aflow Extrusion Plastometer

Test methods

MFR
MVR
Multi-stage test

Test volume

High

Applications

24/7 operation in QA
Flexible in R&D

Methods

Method A
Method B
Method C
Method D

Aflow at a glance Videos Advantages & features Technical data Request a quotation

Aflow applications

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.

Aflow extrusion plastometer / melt flow indext tester with user and PC

Aflow extrusion plastometer at a glance
Test Methods	Test results	Level of automation
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
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, FFR 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

Next 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 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

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.

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.

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.

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

Aflow technical data

Please note:
requires dry, oiled air

Type	Aflow extrusion plastometer (230 V)	Aflow extrusion plastometer (110 V)
Item No.	1043954	1043955
Test load	0.325 ... 50 (step by step or stepless)	0.325 ... 50 (step by step or stepless)	kg
Compressed air, oiled, dry	5 ... 10	5 ... 10	bar
Dimensions
Height	1021	1021	mm
Width	580	580	mm
Depth	625	625	mm
Weight, approx.	114	114	kg
Test temperature	+50 ... +450	+50 ... +450	°C
Display	Capacitive touch display	Capacitive touch display
Resolution of the temperature display	<0.001	<0.001	K
Number of savable parameter sets	> 100	> 100
Interfaces	Ethernet port to connect a PC 2 x USB port to connect a printer or USB stick RS-232 port for raw data export, data output: serial number, specimen number, number of extrudates, density (user specifications) density at test temperature, overall weight of the extrudates, MFR average value, MVR average value, MFR and MVR individual values RS-232 port for connecting the analytical scale (from the ZwickRoell product range)
Temperature accuracy in the range of 0 ... 75 mm above the die in the temperature range of 50 °C ... 450 °C	<0.3¹	<0.3¹	K
Time measurement:
Error limit (Method A)	±0.02 (with automated extrudate cutter)	±0.02 (with automated extrudate cutter)	s
Error limit (Method B)	± 0.01	± 0.01	s
Displacement measurement
Error limit (Method B)	±0.02 mm (ISO 1133) / ±0.4% of 6.25 mm (ASTM D1238)	±0.02 mm (ISO 1133) / ±0.4% of 6.25 mm (ASTM D1238)
Resolution	<0.0005	<0.0005	mm
Piston speed, max.	2000²	2000²	mm/min
Multi-instrument operation on one PC:
Available main memory, min.	1.54	1.54	GB
Clock frequency	3	3	GHz
Connectible Aflow extrusion plastometer per PC	6	6
Scope of delivery	Ethernet cable Cleaning accessories (cleaning piston, cleaning brush, cleaning pads (500 pieces)) for barrel Test granulate and filling chute for granulate
Power input specifications
Power supply	220 to 240 V, 1L/PE/N	100 to 127 V, 1L/PE/N
Power consumption (full load), approx.	0.6	0.6	kVA
Power frequency	50/60	50/60	Hz

Spatial and temporal, to ISO 1133-2
To ensure proper force control, the piston speed cannot exceed 75% of this value

Please note:
requires dry, oiled air

Type	Aflow extrusion plastometer (230 V)	Aflow extrusion plastometer (110 V)
Item No.	1043954	1043955
Test load	0.325 ... 50 (step by step or stepless)	0.325 ... 50 (step by step or stepless)	kg
Compressed air, oiled, dry	5 ... 10	5 ... 10	bar
Dimensions
Height	1021	1021	mm
Width	580	580	mm
Depth	625	625	mm
Weight, approx.	114	114	kg
Test temperature	+50 ... +450	+50 ... +450	°C
Display	Capacitive touch display	Capacitive touch display
Resolution of the temperature display	<0.001	<0.001	K
Number of savable parameter sets	> 100	> 100
Interfaces	Ethernet port to connect a PC 2 x USB port to connect a printer or USB stick RS-232 port for raw data export, data output: serial number, specimen number, number of extrudates, density (user specifications) density at test temperature, overall weight of the extrudates, MFR average value, MVR average value, MFR and MVR individual values RS-232 port for connecting the analytical scale (from the ZwickRoell product range)
Temperature accuracy in the range of 0 ... 75 mm above the die in the temperature range of 50 °C ... 450 °C	<0.3¹	<0.3¹	K
Time measurement:
Error limit (Method A)	±0.02 (with automated extrudate cutter)	±0.02 (with automated extrudate cutter)	s
Error limit (Method B)	± 0.01	± 0.01	s
Displacement measurement
Error limit (Method B)	±0.02 mm (ISO 1133) / ±0.4% of 6.25 mm (ASTM D1238)	±0.02 mm (ISO 1133) / ±0.4% of 6.25 mm (ASTM D1238)
Resolution	<0.0005	<0.0005	mm
Piston speed, max.	2000²	2000²	mm/min
Multi-instrument operation on one PC:
Available main memory, min.	1.54	1.54	GB
Clock frequency	3	3	GHz
Connectible Aflow extrusion plastometer per PC	6	6
Scope of delivery	Ethernet cable Cleaning accessories (cleaning piston, cleaning brush, cleaning pads (500 pieces)) for barrel Test granulate and filling chute for granulate
Power input specifications
Power supply	220 to 240 V, 1L/PE/N	100 to 127 V, 1L/PE/N
Power consumption (full load), approx.	0.6	0.6	kVA
Power frequency	50/60	50/60	Hz

Spatial and temporal, to ISO 1133-2
To ensure proper force control, the piston speed cannot exceed 75% of this value

At least one piston must be selected, in accordance with the materials to be tested. Various plastics (e.g. PTFE and PFA) which contain fluorine release hydrofluoric acid, which attacks the extrusion barrel material. For these plastics pistons made of a special steel alloy are used. These pistons have only limited suitability for filled plastics. For these the wear-resistant version is recommended. For tests to ISO 1133-1997, a piston with non-rounded edges (sharp-edged) is required.

Test material	Standard	Properties	Item No.
Plastic, fluorine-free	ISO 1133	Wear-resistant	032298
Plastic, containing fluorine	ISO 1133	Acid-resistant	032299
Plastic, not containing fluorine	ISO 1133-1997	Sharp edged, wear-resistant	032300
Plastic, not containing fluorine	ASTM D1238	Wear-resistant	1015333

An extrusion barrel must be chosen to suit the materials to be tested. Different plastics containing fluoride, such as PTFE and PFA, release hydrofluoric acid, which corrodes the material of the extrusion barrel. For these types of plastics, extrusion barrels made from a special type of steel alloy are used.

Test material	Diameter, inner [mm]	Hole	Properties	Item No.
Plastic, not containing fluorine	9.55	Finely honed	Wear-resistant	050888
Plastic, containing fluorine / not containing fluorine	9.55	Finely honed	Acid-resistant, wear-resistant	1069372

Alternative extrusion plastometers

More information on melt flow testing

Determination of melt flow rate to ASTM D1238 on thermoplastics and ASTM D3364 on PVC compounds

MFR/ MVR plastics

ASTM D1238, ASTM D3364

Determination of melt mass-flow rate (MFR), melt volume-flow rate (MVR), flow rate ratio (FRR)

to MFR/ MVR plastics

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