Test equipment for raw material & recycling
Virgin polymer or regranulate — the same core tests decide whether a batch is fit for processing. Flow, thermal, mechanical and composition tests from one manufacturer.
Raw Material & Recycling — Overview
Which tests are used for plastic raw material and recycled granules? Melt flow rate and volume (MFR/MVR, ISO 1133 / ASTM D1238) come first: they define a virgin grade and show whether a regranulate batch will process like the grade it replaces. Oxidation induction time (OIT) confirms thermal stability, moisture (ISO 62) and density (ISO 1183) reveal residual water and polymer mix-ups, and ash content (muffle furnace) and carbon black (ISO 6964) verify fillers and composition.
Polymer producers and compounders add Vicat softening (ISO 306) and Charpy/Izod impact (ISO 179 / ISO 180) for grade datasheets; recyclers use the same set to issue batch certificates buyers trust. Alarge also builds the laboratory injection, notching and CNC machines that turn granules into comparable test specimens.
Test devices (16)
Melt Flow Indexer — Standard MFR (AL MFI A)
Melt Flow Indexer — MFR/MVR (AL MFI B)
Melt Flow Indexer — Automated MFR/MVR (AL MFI O)
Oxidation Induction Time Determination Device (DSC/OIT)
Vicat Softening Temperature Testing Machine
Charpy Pendulum Impact Tester — ICJ 50
Izod Pendulum Impact Tester — ICJ 22
5 kN Universal Testing Machine (AL-UN5)
Moisture Analyzer
Analytical Balance & Density Kit
Muffle Furnace
Carbon Black Determination Machine
High Quality Colorimeter
Plastic Injection Machine (Laboratory Type)
Notching Machine
CNC Sample Preparation Device — Compact (450 mm)
Test standards covered
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MFR and MVR?
MFR (melt mass-flow rate, g/10 min) and MVR (melt volume-flow rate, cm³/10 min) are both measured to ISO 1133. Alarge MFI B and MFI O models measure both; MFI O automates the cut-off and weighing for high-throughput grade release.
Which impact test should a compounder use, Charpy or Izod?
Both are pendulum tests on notched bars. Charpy (ISO 179) supports the specimen at both ends and is standard in Europe; Izod (ISO 180, ASTM D256) clamps it at one end and is common in North American datasheets. Many compounders report both.
Why is melt flow index the key test for recycled plastic?
Recycling shortens or cross-links polymer chains, which changes how the material flows. MFI (ISO 1133 / ASTM D1238) shows in minutes whether a batch matches the processing window of the target grade.
How can contamination in regranulate be detected?
Density (ISO 1183) flags other polymers mixed in, ash content in a muffle furnace flags mineral fillers and dirt, and moisture analysis (ISO 62) flags residual washing water that causes voids during processing.
How is thermal stability of a polymer measured?
Oxidation induction time (OIT) measures how long the stabiliser package protects the polymer at elevated temperature under oxygen — a direct check that antioxidant was dosed correctly.
Can test specimens be made from regranulate in-house?
Yes — a laboratory-type injection machine moulds standard specimens from small granule quantities, so mechanical tests can be run on the actual recycled batch.
Tell us what you produce — we'll spec the lab.
Share your product, material and the standards you test to; our engineers will recommend the right device set and configuration.