Paints and Coatings
The minimum film-forming temperature (MFFT) of a paint or coating is the lowest temperature at which it will uniformly coalesce when laid 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 Rhopoint 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 aluminium 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
Design
The instrument benefits from an easy to use touch screen interface, digital MFFT temperature calculation and output to handy results labels. These additions to the trusted Rhopoint MFFT make the instrument easier to operate with improved certainty of results.
The temperature bar consists of a copper platen with an electronically imposed temperature gradient. Built in temperature sensors monitor the temperature across the platen, a graph of the gradient is displayed on the touch screen.
Purge gas is integrally dried, and flows over the platen via a sintered distribution block. The hinged perspex cover provides thermal and atmospheric insulation whilst allowing constant visual inspection of a test. A cursor is moved to indicate the identified MFFT point; the instrument calculates and displays the temperature in the required units.
The instrument can be supplied with an optional results label printer. Recorded values include the time and date of the test and identified minimum film forming temperature. The printed label can be attached to retained sample bottles or job sheets.
Features
Determines the MFFT of latex, emulsions and adhesives
Easy to use touch screen programme control
Nickel plated copper platen with an electronically imposed temperature gradient
Optional results printer for printing date and time stamped MFFT results
-10°C to 60°C operation
Standard model (MFFT-60) has seven temperature programs:
Program 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Cool end (Deg. C) -10 -5 0 5 15 23 33
Warm end (Deg.C) 8 13 18 23 33 50 60
Additional three temperature programs on extended range model (MFFT-90):
Program 7 8 9
Cool end (Deg.C.) 43 53 63
Warm end (Deg.C.) 70 80 90
Groved platen (eg for DIN 53787)
Conforms to:
ASTM D 2354, ISO 2115,
DIN 53787
Platen dimensions:
483mm x 235mm ( L x W)
Air:
4 l min-1 @ 100 psig
Water:
Mains pressure; gravity drain
inlet temperature <15°C Mains
110-120V AC or
220-240V AC