This document presents the application of GPC/SEC for the analysis of polyolefins. It covers the GPC separation mechanism, system requirements for polyolefin analysis, sample preparation, system, software and standards, as well as GPC analysis of different types of polyolefins.
Polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene are among the highest tonnage polymers produced globally. This document describes Agilent Technologies' complete product portfolio for analyzing these materials using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), also known as Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). The text covers instrumentation, software standards, column selection, and sample preparation requirements necessary for high-temperature analysis of crystalline polymers.
The document outlines specific system components required to handle the elevated temperatures needed to dissolve highly crystalline polyolefins. Key solutions highlighted include the Agilent PL-GPC 220 Integrated GPC/SEC System, Cirrus GPC Software for data analysis, and the Agilent PL-SP 260VS Sample Preparation System for manual dissolution and filtration of difficult samples like ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene.
| Sample Preparation Temperature Range | 30 to 260 °C (+ 2 °C) |
|---|---|
| Agitation Speed Range | 85 to 230 rpm |
| Analysis Temperature Range | 135 to 170 °C |
Trichlorobenzene is generally the most effective solvent due to its ability to dissolve highly crystalline materials.
The system provides controlled heating across a temperature range of 30 to 260 °C.
The preferred glass-fiber filter has a nominal porosity of 1 µm.