Comparison of Fractionation Methods for the Characterisation of Short Chain Branching as a Function of Molecular Weight in Ethylene 1-Olefin Copolymers

摘要

Rapid and automated analysis of polyolefins is becoming essential for product development in industry. Quantifying short chain branching in ethylene 1-olefin copolymers is common practice. Several different methods are available to perform this type of analysis. Preparative fractionation followed by subsequent analysis of the fraction by SEC and NMR, SEC-FTIR and SEC-IR were studied towards their applicability in polyolefin research and product development environment. The method of choice is defined by prerequisites such as accuracy, labour and time demands but also in versatility and practicability. The most accurate method is limited in terms of sample throughput and the most practical method is limited towards resolution of very low branching. SEC-FTIR is capable to measure even heterogeneous low branched samples like bimodal high density polyethylene in rapid and satisfactory matter.