2.2 Material Preparation
A Melt Flow Index Tester (MFI) is a machine used to determine the melt flow viscosity of a material with a low shear rate. It is a critical test for determining the flow of polymers and polymer composites. MFI calculates the mass flow rate of material for 10 minutes and compares it to a standard virgin material that has been cross-checked. The barrel’s temperature was kept constant at 230°C, and a constant load of 3.8 kg was applied. The tests were carried out in accordance with ASTM D1238, which is applicable to thermoplastics. The composites are taken in the order of carbon fiber (60 microns), aluminum dioxide (100 mesh), and copper powder particles (40 microns), and MFI was investigated in accordance with PLA. The virgin PLA melt flow was determined using an MFI tester, then PLA 99% and carbon fiber 1 percent were thoroughly mixed and placed in an oven for 30 minutes to remove moisture before being fed into the MFI tester, but the flow was equal to the PLA but the material performance was not significantly altered. Further, the weight percentage of composite materials was increased to a maximum of 10%, and MFI was calculated. Table.1 shows the average Melt Flow Index (MFI) values, which indicate the composition percentages close to that of virgin material.
<<< Table.1 Melt Flow Index (MFI) values of Various Filaments>>