Then, in order to calibrate the correlation procedure, the MFR tests are carried out on the same samples. by traditional procedures on a couple of reference samples. Notably, intrinsic viscosity can be estimated by means of a correlation with melt flow rate (MFR) test results, and this has been implemented in the VisualMELT Software for melt flow testers.Īs a starting point, the user still needs to measure I.V. The possibility of alternative methods has been investigated and several published papers exist on this subject. imply the use of solvents (sometimes highly toxic), they are still used in the industry. has some historical importance – it was defined in experimental Physics/Chemistry at the time of establishing the very existence of polymer molecules.Įven though the most common testing methods for I.V. This is important since properties during processing and properties of the finished product show a significant dependence on it. Intrinsic Viscosity (I.V.) is a quantity related to the molecular weight of plastics and is typically monitored as a part of Quality Control procedures for materials like PET (poly-ethylene-terephthalate) and PA (poly-amides aka nylons).