
Melt flow index
The melt flow index (MFI) measures how easily a thermoplastic polymer melts and flows when heated. It is determined by timing how much material passes through a small opening under specific conditions. A higher MFI indicates the material flows more easily, meaning it’s less viscous, while a lower MFI means it’s thicker and flows less readily. This property helps manufacturers choose the right plastic for different applications, affecting things like molding, extrusion, and manufacturing processes. Essentially, MFI provides a standard way to compare the flow behavior of different plastics.