2. Experimental work
2.1 Material
The resin used in this study was linear low density polyethylene of grade R350 A 42 having density of 935
Kg/cm3 supplied by GAIL india limited. The above mentioned grade is recommended for manufacturing of water
storage tanks, automobile parts, and boats etc. The foam used is linear low density polyethylene foam. Before the
experiments are done the foam powder is first blended with the linear low density polyethylene by a dry mixer.
2.2 Equipment used
2.2.1 Melt Flow Indexer
Melt flow index of the LLDPE foam mixer has been checked with dynisco melt flow indexer as per ASTM
D 1238. Melt Flow Index is the output rate (flow) in grammas that occurs in 10 minutes through a standard die of
P.L. Ramkumar et al. / Procedia Materials Science 6 ( 2014 ) 361 – 367 363
2.0955 ± 0.0051 mm diameter and 8.000 ± 0.025mm in length when a fixed pressure is applied to the melt via a
piston and a load of total mass of 2.16 kg at a temperature of 190°C. Melt flow index is an assessment of average
molecular mass and is an inverse measure of the melt viscosity; in other words, the higher a MFI, the more polymer
flows under test conditions. Knowing the MFI of a polymer is vital for anticipating and controlling its processing.
Three samples of LLDPE foam mixture (2, 4, 6, 8&10%) was tested for its melt flow property and recorded. Fig 1
gives the details of experimental setup.