p. 272. Polymer properties and characterization
- David J. WaltonDavid J. WaltonCoventry University
- and J. Phillip LorimerJ. Phillip LorimerCoventry University
Abstract
This chapter discusses the properties and characterization of polymers. The techniques most commonly used to determine polymer molar mass include end-group analysis, osmometry, light scattering, ultracentrifugation, sedimentation, viscometry, and chromatography. However, most of these involve rather lengthy procedures and in practice molar masses are obtained from high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC) or viscosity measurements. It is important to recognize that the fundamental measurements of molar mass must be performed on dilute solutions so that intermolecular interactions can be ignored. The chapter then looks at polymer stereochemistry; structure-property relationships; and polymer processing. It also considers the thermal methods of polymer analysis, in which some physical property of a substance is measured as a function of temperature or time while the substance is subject to a controlled temperature programme. The most common techniques are differential scanning calorimetry, thermal gravimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, dilatometry, heat-deflection temperature, and melt index.
