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Minimum Temperature Film Forming Bar (MFFT)

Name: Minimum Temperature Film Forming Bar (MFFT)
Brand: Gardco

Art. No.:

The Rhopoint Minimum Film Forming Temperature Bar (MFFT) is a self-contained bench top instrument used to determine the minimum film forming temperature and white point in paint and coatings such as water base coatings, polymer dispersions, synthetic latexes, and emulsion.

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Temperature Measurement

The “Minimum film-forming temperature” has been described as: “the minimum temperature at which a water-borne synthetic latex or emulsion will coalesce when laid on a substrate as a thin film”. “When this process occurs, in the absence of pigmentation or other opacifying material, a clear, transparent film is formed. At temperatures lower than the minimum, a white, powdery, cracked film will result”. The MFFT is usually closely related to the glass transition temperature Tg but not synonymous with it. While the Tg may be determined by predicted calculation, the MFFT is best determined by the use of the MFFT Bar. The basic principles of which are described in ASTM D 2354. The initial development of the MFFT Bar was carried out in I.C.I. laboratories and is presently produced by Rhopoint, LTD. Unit for Nitrogen supply only, no air processor fitted.

Touch Screen Interface
The MFFT also tests adhesives temperature optimization in such areas as coalescence of water-borne adhesives and minimum temperature for epoxy resin cure.
Built-in temperature sensors monitor the temperature across the platen, a graph of the gradient is displayed on the touch screen
Digital MFFT temperature calculation and output to handy results labels
The temperature bar consists of a nickel plated copper platen with an electronically imposed temperature gradient
Cursor indicates exact MFFT point/temp
°C/°F Switchable
Water at normal mains pressure removes the excess heat from the coolers. Quick release couplings are provided. Water is normally drawn from a laboratory tap and the outlet is run to drain by gravity.
Alarms, both audible and visible, protect the cooling water supply.
Temperature sensors are mounted at intervals under the surface of the platen, these are used to control the temperature of the platen in accordance with the chosen program. They are also used to indicate platen temperatures down the length of the bar.
A hinged viewing cover over the platen provides thermal insulation while allowing visual inspection of the determination as it progresses.
The hinged perspex cover provides thermal and atmospheric insulation while allowing constant visual inspection of a test.
A cursor is moved to indicate the visual inspection of a test and the identified MFFT point; the instrument calculates and displays the temperature in the required units.
The use of this instrument may involve hazardous materials and operational procedures. It is the responsibility of the user of this instrument to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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Manuals

Minimum-Temperature-Film-Forming-Bar-MFFT-Manual.pdfMinimum-Temperature-Film-Forming-Bar-MFFT-Manual.pdf

The desired temperature program is selected and the instrument allowed to reach thermal equilibrium. Tracks of wet test material are applied using a cube applicator or spreader. Once the material has dried or cured the result is visually apparent. A dull, nickel-plated copper platen is cooled at one end electronically and warmed at the other end, while air or nitrogen is caused to flow over the surface as a uniform blanket. The air flow is from cold end to hot end.

In practice, the instrument is switched on and the program chosen. Air and water having been connected, an equilibrium condition is noted after about 20 minutes (the time may be less dependent on the program chosen). At equilibrium, the heating cooling lamps illuminate at very low frequency. Several tracks are laid down in quick succession using an applicator, normally a 75 micron (3 mil) one inch cube applicator. The tracks may be laid down left to right or right to left, but the most common form is a U horizontal, with the track starting and finishing at the right, warm end. Two tracks are normally laid down last as a control using an emulsion of known MFFT. A clearly defined limit of coalescence will show in about 90 minutes and the MFFT temperature can then be read using the cursor scale. Pigmented emulsions may be tested but the determination is more difficult to see. Most operators, however, find that they can readily ascertain the MFFT point. This can be proven using a wooden spatula or, more commonly, a finger nail to check the point at which the soft, uncoalesced coating commences. MFFT Determination, one continuous track displays the evenness of the heating,cooling and air flow. A photographic record of the performance of every instrument is made before dispatch.

To achieve the required uniformity, the air or gas is delivered via a very carefully designed sintered metal distribution block. The design is such that freezing does not take place at the inlet. For use with air, a drying system is incorporated into the housing together with a flow controller. The air dryer contains indicator crystals which are clearly visible in their transparent container. The complete air conditioning system is accessible at the side of the instrument.

Paints & Coatings - The minimum film-forming temperature (MFFT) of a paint or coating is the lowest temperature at which it will uniformly coalesce when applied on a substrate as a thin film. The standard test for determining this temperature involves using a MFFT-Bar, as specified by such standards as ASTM D 2354 and ISO 2115. The design of the instrument is based directly on these standards.

Adhesives - The MFFT of one-pack adhesives can be found in a similar way to paints and coatings. With two-pack adhesives, a strip of aluminum foil can be laid on the platen, to ease cleaning, before applying the adhesive. Two-pack adhesives do not show an MFFT, but the minimum cure temperature can be found by scraping the sample with a spatula.

Minimum Film Forming Bar (MFFT)

Article No: 13302

Price: $24,148.00

Minimum Temperature Film Forming Bar (MFFT)

Manuals

Standards

Procedure

Knowledge

Minimum Film Forming Bar (MFFT)

ASTM	D2354
DIN	53787
ISO	2115