Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) exhibits a complex molecular structure that is characterized by molar mass and chemical composition distributions. Both molecular parameters complementarily influence the final application properties. Typically, the molecular structure of commercial polyolefins is characterized by a set of technical parameters including the melt flow index, the crystallization and melting temperatures and the comonomer content as obtained using Fourier transform infrared or NMR spectroscopy. LLDPEs with high comonomer contents are typically regarded as plastomers or elastomers. Due to their low crystallinities, characterization of these materials using crystallization‐based analytical techniques is of limited use since the majority of the material is rather amorphous. Such materials need specific alternative analytical methods that may be based on molar mass and/or chemical composition fractionation. Here it is shown that for a comprehensive analysis of LLDPEs with similar bulk properties, preparative molar mass fractionation (pMMF) and advanced analysis of the fractions are required. The pMMF fractions are comprehensively analyzed using size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry and high‐temperature high‐performance liquid chromatography to provide detailed information on molar mass and copolymer composition. Correlated information of these molecular parameters is obtained by comprehensive two‐dimensional liquid chromatography. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.