Plastometer

The Plastimeter determines the plasticity of natural rubber. The sample is circle in shape, with a thickness of 3.2-3.6mm and a diameter of 13mm It is placed between the upper and lower testing plates (The Dies) whose temperatures are 100 degrees Celsius. The size of the testing plates are standardised. When testing begins, the lower plate moves up to compress the sample of rubber to the thickness of 1mm and heats it up for 15 seconds. Next, the upper plate presses the sample with a force of 100N for 15 seconds. The remaining thickness of the sample is used to determine Plasticity Retention Index (PRI). PRI is the ratio of plasticity of the sample after 30 minutes of heating with a temperature of 140 degrees Celsius to the plasticity of the sample prior to heating. Features: • Plastimeter measures the Plastocity or Viscosity of unvulcanised rubbers. • The method of test is simple, clean and quick. • The instrument is used to determine the (PRI) Plasticity Retention Index of raw, natural rubber.