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. Flow rates can be used to differentiate grades or provide a measure of degradation of a
material as a result of molding.

Melt Flow Rate Procedures

Procedure Description
A Manual Operation
B Automatically Timed Flow Rate Measurement
Automatically Timed Flow Rate Measurement for High Flow Rate Polyolefins Using
C
Half-Height, Half Diameter Die

The testing conditions are most commonly reported as temperature/load (i.e. 190°C/2.16 kg). In the
past several test conditions were given alphabetical designations, these designations are described
below.

Historical Melt Flow Rate Conditions

Condition Temperature (°C) Load (kg)
A 125 0.325
B 125 2.16
C 150 2.16
D 190 0.325
E 190 2.16
F 190 21.6
G 200 5
H 230 1.2
I 230 3.8
J 265 12.5
K 275 0.325
L 230 2.16
M 190 1.05
N 190 10
O 300 1.2
P 190 5
Q 235 1
R 235 2.16
S 235 5
T 250 2.16
 U 310 12.5
V 310 2.16
W 285 2.16
X 315 5

The term Melt Index is commonly used in place of the Melt Flow Rate for polyethylene at
190°C/2.16 kg.

Common Melt Flow Rate Conditions by Material

Material Condition
190/2.16
Acetals (copolymer and homopolymer)
190/1.05
230/1.2
Acrylics
230/3.8
200/5.0
Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene 230/3.8
220/10
230/3.8
250/1.2
Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene/polycarbonate
265/3.8
265/5.0
190/0.325
190/2.16
Cellulose esters
190/21.60
210/2.16
Ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer 271.5/2.16
Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer 297/5.0
275/0.325
235/1.0
Nylon 235/2.16
235/5.0
275/5.0
Perfluoro(ethylene-propylene) copolymer 372/2.16
Perfluoroalkoxyalkane 372/5.0
125/2.16
Polycaprolactone
80/2.16
Polychlorotrifluorethylene 265/12.5
125/0.325
125/2.16
250/1.2
190/0.325
Polyethylene
190/2.16
190/21.60
190/10
310/12.5
Polycarbonate 300/1.2
Polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene 265/21.6
 265/31.6
Polypropylene 230/2.16
200/5.0
230/1.2
Polystyrene
230/3.8
190/5.0
250/2.16
Polyterephthalate 210/2.16
285/2.16
Poly(vinyl acetal) 150/21.6
230/21.6
Poly(vinylidene fluoride)
230/5.0
Poly(phenylene sulfide) 315/5.0
220/10
Styrene acrylonitrile 230/10
230/3.8
190/2.16
Styrenic Thermoplastic Elastomer
200/5.0
190/2.16
220/2.16
Thermoplastic Elastomer-Ether-Ester 230/2.16
240/2.16
250/2.16
Thermoplastic elastomers (TEO) 230/2.16
230/21.6
Vinylidene fluoride copolymers
230/5.0