Why measure gloss?
Gloss is an aspect of the visual perception of objects that is as important as colour when considering the psychological impact of products on a
MFFT 90 Minimum Film Forming Temperature Instrument
- Measures the minimum film forming temperature of water based coatings
- Determines the MFFT of latex, emulsions and adhesives
- -10°C to 90°C operation
- MFFT Coalescing Agent Case Studies
- What is MFFT and how is it determined?
Description
Ensure your paints and coatings perform correctly.
An accurate MFFT value allows the formulation of products that cure correctly under specified application conditions.
The Rhopoint Minimum Film Forming Temperature Bar (MFFT) is used to determine the minimum film forming temperature and white point in paint and coatings such as water based coatings, polymer dispersions, synthetic latexes and emulsion.
The MFFT also tests adhesives temperature optimisation in such areas as coalescence of water-borne adhesives and minimum temperature for epoxy resin cure.
- Determines the MFFT (minimum film forming temperature) 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 90˚C operation
Standard model (MFFT-90) has ten temperature programs
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold end ˚C | -10 | -5 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 23 | 33 | 43 | 53 | 63 |
| Warm end ˚C | 8 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 33 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 |
Find out more about MFFT in our article ‘What is MFFT?’
The MFFT Method
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.
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.
Water at normal mains pressure removes the excess heat from the coolers. In environments where the ambient water temperature is high, Rhopoint offer a chiller / recirculating unit to reduce this temperature. 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 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.
How does the MFFT work?
1. Select program
Touch-screen intuitive operation with in-built operating guide on-screen
2. Fill application cube with product
3. Move across platen and close perspex lid
4. Coalescence will show in about 90 minutes
5. Move cursor
6. Read the exact MFFT point from the display
Video
Specifications
| Weight | 53.7 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 690 × 800 × 590 cm |
| Conforms to | ASTM D 2354, ISO 2115 |
| Air | 4l min-1 @ 100 psig |
| Water | Gravity drain inlet temperature <15°C, Mains pressure |
| Mains | 10–120V AC, 220–240V AC |
| Order codes | MFFT, -10˚C to 90˚C 115V – A1212-002/115, MFFT, -10˚C to 90˚C 230V – A1212-002 |
| Instrument Dimensions | 350mm × 550mm × 610mm (H × W × D) |
| Instrument Weight | 38kg |
| Commodity code | 9027 8017 |
| Test | test 1, test 2 |
| Instrument Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conforms to | ASTM D 2354, ISO 2115 | |
| Platen Dimensions | 483mm × 235mm (L × 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 | |
| Order Code | MFFT, -10˚C to 90˚C 230V - A1212-002 MFFT, -10˚C to 90˚C 115V - A1212-002/115 | |
| Dimensions | 350mm × 550mm × 610mm (H × W × D) | |
| Weight | 38kg | |
| Packed Weight | 53.7kg | |
| Packed Dimensions | 590mm × 800mm × 690mm (H × W × D) | |
| Commodity Code | 9027 8017 | |
| Accessories | ||
|---|---|---|
| Included | • Water connectors • Air connector • Spare silica gel • Manual • 75μm (0.003”) cube applicator | |
| Optional | • Chiller - Required when the temperature of the water supply to the instrument is >20ºC higher than the target temperature at the cold end of the selected range. e.g. Range 0, -10ºC requires a water supply of no higher than 10ºC. If this cannot be supplied then the chiller is required • Label printer | |
| Extras | • Free extended warranty service • Fast and economic service via our global network of accredited service centres, please visit www.rhopointinstruments.com/distributors/category/service-centre/ for detailed information | |
What’s in the box
Included:
- Water connectors
- Air connector
- Spare silica gel
- Manual
- 75μm (0.003”) cube applicator
Optional extras
Chiller
Required when the temperature of the water supply to the instrument is >20ºC higher than the target temperature at the cold end of the selected range. e.g. Range 0, -10ºC requires a water supply of no higher than 10ºC. If this cannot be supplied then the chiller is required. View chiller
Label printer
Print off results for use on sample bottles or your records
Cube applicators
Stainless Steel 1” cube applicator, 75 & 150 micron cuts
Stainless Steel 1” cube applicator, 50 & 100 micron cuts
Please ask for these extras in your quote request
Extended 2 Year Warranty
Customer Support
Servicing
Standards & Certifications
ASTM 2354
Standard Test Method for Minimum Film Formation Temperature (MFFT) of Emulsion Vehicles
ISO 2115
Plastics — Polymer dispersions — Determination of white point temperature and minimum film-forming temperature
Applications
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
Downloads
Datasheets
Manuals
Application Notes & White Papers
Answers to common questions about our instruments and measurements
What glossmeter do I need?
Identify the surface that you wish to measure. Is it a flat surface? If so, it can be measured with a traditonal glossmeter. Curved surfaces
What is RSpec?
RSpec is the peak reflectance measured over a very narrow angular band in the specular direction (+/-) 0.0991º. RSpec is very sensitive to any texture
