Title: Thermo-Rheological Analysis And Predictive Modeling Of Polyolefin Melts Using Capillary Flow Indexing
Authors: Yousif.A A,Maysa.E.M. Mohamad H. H. Deifalla
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 153-162
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
The rheological behavior of thermoplastic polymers is crucial for controlling their processing performance and energy efficiency. This study examines the thermo-rheological characteristics of polypropylene (PP) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using capillary melt flow index (MFI) testing combined with viscosity modeling. Experiments at different temperatures and loads were analyzed using Power Law, Carreau-Yasuda, and Arrhenius models to evaluate shear-rate dependence and temperature sensitivity. Both polymers exhibited pseudoplastic flow behavior, with viscosity decreasing as temperature increased. PP showed higher activation energy than LDPE, indicating greater thermal sensitivity. Strong correlations between MFI and apparent viscosity confirmed that MFI can serve as a reliable predictive indicator for rheological control in polymer processing.