Key Features
- Measures MFR (g/10 min) and MVR (cm³/10 min) of thermoplastics
- Three models: ECO with manual weight loading, AL with automatic weight loading, PRO with automatic loading and an integrated automatic weighing module
- Test methods ISO 1133-1 Methods A and B and ASTM D1238 Procedures A and B
- Temperature range 50 °C to 450 °C
- Seven total test loads, piston included: 0.325 / 1.2 / 2.16 / 3.8 / 5 / 10 / 21.6 kg; weight set supplied
- 4.3-inch touchscreen PLC/HMI, piston-travel encoder and automatic cutter on all models
- Electromagnetically released die plug: standard on AL and PRO, optional on ECO
- One-year warranty; CE marked, built by TexLab Instruments (TLI) in Istanbul
About the TLI Basic Melt Flow Indexor
The Basic Melt Flow Indexor is the MFI series from TexLab Instruments (TLI), Turkey: one MFR and MVR platform at three levels of automation, ECO, AL and PRO. A weighed sample is melted in the heated barrel and extruded through a standard die under a set temperature and load. The mass extruded in a given time gives the melt mass-flow rate (MFR, g/10 min), and the piston-travel encoder gives the melt volume-flow rate (MVR, cm³/10 min).
It is used for goods-inwards control of polymer granulate, batch-to-batch quality assurance and raw material control for fibre, film and composite production, where samples of the same polymer are compared under identical temperature and load. The test methods are ISO 1133-1 Methods A and B and ASTM D1238 Procedures A and B.
ECO has manual weight loading, AL loads the test weights automatically, and PRO adds an integrated automatic weighing module to automatic loading. All three share a 50 to 450 °C temperature range, a 4.3-inch touchscreen PLC/HMI, a piston-displacement encoder and an automatic extrudate cutter.
TLI Basic Melt Flow Indexor specifications
| Series | MFI series: ECO, AL and PRO (datasheet code TXL-GEN-013) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | TexLab Instruments (TLI), Turkey |
| Application | Melt flow rate of thermoplastics |
| Results | MFR in g/10 min; MVR in cm³/10 min (piston-travel encoder) |
| Test methods | ISO 1133-1 Method A and B; ASTM D1238 Procedure A and B |
| Temperature range | 50 °C to 450 °C |
| Total test loads (piston included) | 0.325 / 1.2 / 2.16 / 3.8 / 5 / 10 / 21.6 kg |
| Control panel | 4.3-inch touchscreen PLC/HMI |
| Extrudate cutting | Automatic cutter, standard on all models |
| Warranty | One (1) year manufacturer warranty |
ECO, AL and PRO compared
| Feature | ECO | AL | PRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight loading | Manual | Automatic | Automatic |
| Integrated automatic weighing | – (external balance for MFR) | – (external balance for MFR) | Standard |
| Electromagnetically released die plug | Optional | Standard | Standard |
| MFR testing | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| MVR testing | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Piston displacement encoder | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Automatic cutting | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Temperature range | 50–450 °C | 50–450 °C | 50–450 °C |
| Touchscreen PLC/HMI | 4.3-inch | 4.3-inch | 4.3-inch |
| Total test loads (piston included) | 0.325 / 1.2 / 2.16 / 3.8 / 5 / 10 / 21.6 kg | 0.325 / 1.2 / 2.16 / 3.8 / 5 / 10 / 21.6 kg | 0.325 / 1.2 / 2.16 / 3.8 / 5 / 10 / 21.6 kg |
A dash means the model does not include the item. On ECO and AL the extrudate is weighed on an external balance for MFR; on PRO the weighing module is integrated. The weight set for the seven test loads is supplied as standard.
Test methods and apparatus requirements
| Standard | Covers | Apparatus requirements |
|---|---|---|
| ISO 1133-1, Methods A and B | Melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics | Cylinder bore 9.550 ± 0.007 mm; piston head 9.474 ± 0.007 mm × 6.35 ± 0.10 mm; standard die 8.000 ± 0.025 mm long, bore 2.095 ± 0.005 mm; temperature setting step ≤ 0.1 °C |
| ASTM D1238, Procedures A and B | Melt flow rates of thermoplastics by extrusion plastometer | Combined piston and load mass within ±0.5 % of the selected load; Procedure A timer accuracy 0.1 s; extrudate weighed on a balance reading to 0.001 g |
Summarised from the standards by the manufacturer. Test temperature and load are set by the material standard of the polymer tested. Always apply the current edition of the standard. Die, piston and cylinder dimensions are those of the extrusion assembly, not of the complete instrument.
Installation data (approximate)
| Electrical supply | Approx. 220–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, single phase |
|---|---|
| Connected load | Approx. 500–1,200 W |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | Approx. 550 × 450 × 800 mm |
| Net / gross weight | Approx. 40–70 kg / 69–113 kg, depending on model and configuration |
| Site requirements | Suitable ventilation or fume exhaust |
Approximate values are engineering estimates for planning; final values are confirmed with the order configuration and packing list.
Specifications are as published by the manufacturer, TLI, and are approximate where marked. Download the product brochure, download the datasheet or contact us to confirm the model and configuration for your laboratory.
Typical test sequence and applications
1. Heat
Bring the barrel to the test temperature of the polymer.
2. Charge
Load the weighed sample and compact it.
3. Load
Apply the specified load: manual on ECO, automatic on AL and PRO.
4. Cut and weigh
The automatic cutter cuts the extrudate at fixed intervals. Weighing is on an external balance, or integrated on PRO.
5. Report
MFR (g/10 min) and MVR (cm³/10 min), with the temperature and load.
Controlled start for high-flow materials
The electromagnetically released die plug retains high-flow polymer melts during preheating to reduce premature sample loss, then clears the outlet before measurement. Optional on ECO, standard on AL and PRO.
Materials tested
Polymer resin granules for incoming material checks, recycled flakes and regranulate for batch comparison, and coloured compounds, moulded parts and packaging films.
Typical applications
Goods-inwards control of polymer granulate, batch-to-batch consistency in production, raw material control for fibre, film and composite production, and recycled polymer evaluation.
Test temperature and load follow the material standard of the polymer tested.
Basic Melt Flow Indexor: frequently asked questions
What does the TLI Basic Melt Flow Indexor measure?
It measures the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) of thermoplastics in g/10 min and, from the piston-travel encoder, the melt volume-flow rate (MVR) in cm³/10 min.
What is the difference between ECO, AL and PRO?
ECO has manual weight loading. AL loads the weights automatically and has the electromagnetically released die plug as standard. PRO adds an integrated automatic weighing module to automatic loading. All three share the 50 to 450 °C range, the 4.3-inch touchscreen PLC/HMI, the encoder and the automatic cutter.
Which test methods does it use?
ISO 1133-1 Methods A and B and ASTM D1238 Procedures A and B. The test temperature and load are set by the material standard of the polymer tested.
What temperature range and test loads are available?
The temperature range is 50 °C to 450 °C. The seven total test loads, piston included, are 0.325 / 1.2 / 2.16 / 3.8 / 5 / 10 / 21.6 kg, and a weight set for them is supplied as standard.
What is the electromagnetically released die plug?
The die outlet plug retains high-flow polymer melts during preheating to reduce premature sample loss, and electromagnetic release clears the outlet before measurement. It is optional on ECO and standard on AL and PRO.
Do I need an external balance?
On ECO and AL the extrudate is weighed on an external balance for MFR; ASTM D1238 calls for a balance reading to 0.001 g. PRO has an integrated automatic weighing module.
What is supplied as standard?
MFR and MVR measurement, the encoder, the 4.3-inch PLC/HMI, the automatic cutter and a weight set for the seven total test loads, with an operating manual and technical documentation and a one-year warranty. Spare dies, pistons and weights, and calibration and service, are available.
What are the installation requirements?
Approximately 220–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, single phase, with an approx. 500–1,200 W connected load. Dimensions are approx. 550 × 450 × 800 mm (W × D × H) and the net weight approx. 40–70 kg. Suitable ventilation or fume exhaust is needed. These values are estimates for planning; final values are confirmed with the order configuration.
Where can I buy the TLI Basic Melt Flow Indexor in India?
Multiflo Instruments, based in Navi Mumbai, supplies TLI TexLab Instruments in India. Our team can advise on the TLI Basic Melt Flow Indexor, send a quotation, and arrange installation, training, calibration and after-sales service. Use the Contact Us button or call +91-22-44516175.
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