ABSTRACT
Over the years, it has been found that MFI correlates well with a number of other useful parameters. For example, during polymer manufacture, it has been observed that the reaction temperature, the catalyst activation temperature, and molecular weight buildup can all be correlated with MFI. Similarly, MFI relates well with certain rheological parameters such as die swell, melt strength, and breakage stretch ratio besides all the other rheological parameters discussed in Chapters 4 and S. Further, it has been observed that in polymer processing operations, melt flow index (MFI) correlates well with mold-filling behavior during injection molding, curing, and cross-linking behavior as well as degradation and stability of the polymer. Similarly, the physical, mechanical, and thermal as well as certain optical properties of the finished products can be related well with MFI of the raw material. With all these enhanced abilities to predict a variety of properties, MFI has certainly been upgraded in value from its original belief that it is a mere quality control rheological parameter. The objective of this chapter is to put forth the possible existing correlations between MFI and various other important parameters encountered in polymer manufacture, polymer product fabrication, and polymer product property evaluation that have not been discussed in the preceding chapters.
