GPC/SEC

Where Does Polyolefin Degradation Occur? Enhanced Carbonyl Detection Reveals Degradation Pathways Along the Molecular Weight Distribution

The Need and Evolution of IR Detection for Polyolefin Analysis The full characterization of polyolefins requires separation techniques with specific detectors that provide information about the microstructure, such as the high-temperature GPC/SEC analysis with Infrared Detection. Polymer Char, the leading company in infrared detection technology applied to polyolefins, developed and launched the polyolefin-dedicated detectors IR4 and IR5. These detectors have been extensively used in the polyolefin characterization field over the . . . read more »

When to use a Light Scattering in High Temperature GPC for Polyolefins

A Light Scattering detector is as powerful as it is challenging to use for high-temperature applications, such as GPC/SEC. It is the only detector that can provide absolute molar mass results and Long Chain Branching calculations without depending on columns . . . read more »

Calibration and Data Interpretation – Additional Guidance and Extended Best Practices

  • February, 27 2026
  • Category: GPC/SEC

To complement the main discussion on calibration and data interpretation in the article introduction to GPC/SEC, this additional section provides deeper practical guidance for analysts who routinely operate GPC/SEC systems in research, production, or quality environments. It expands on the . . . read more »

High Temperature GPC versus Ambient GPC: Choosing the Right System for Your Polymer Analysis

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) is a fundamental technique for determining the molecular weight distribution of polymers. However, not all materials require the same analytical conditions. Polyolefins, for instance, must be analyzed at High Temperature (HT) to achieve complete dissolution, as . . . read more »

GPC-IR vs GPC-QC: Choosing the Right GPC System for R&D and Quality Control

In the field of polyolefin characterization, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) remains the gold standard for evaluating molecular weight distribution (MWD) and resin performance. And just as important as selecting the appropriate characterization technique for your resin, is choosing the right . . . read more »

Short-chain Branching in polyolefins: what causes short-chain branches and how to study them.

  Polyolefin copolymer resins incorporate comonomers such as 1-butene, 1-hexene, or 1-octene, which results in short-chain branches irregularly added that influence the crystallinity and final density of the resin. Depending on their density, the resulting resins are classified as high-density . . . read more »

Chemical Composition measurement in GPC/SEC analysis. Differentiating polyolefins with similar Molar Mass Distribution.

  The simultaneous analysis of concentration and chemical composition in Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) or Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) is of significant interest for today’s complex polyolefin copolymers. In polyethylene and copolymers, chemical composition is centered around the study of . . . read more »

Advantages of Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC/GPC) for polyolefins

Polyolefin resins have become complex polymers by design, achieved with multi-reactor processes and the incorporation of comonomers that improve their performance for the desired application. This design complexity requires advanced methods of analysis, as the average properties measured by melt . . . read more »

Practical considerations in Gel Permeation Chromatography analysis of polyolefins

  • February, 15 2021
  • Category: GPC/SEC

This guide covers some practical considerations regarding solvent, analysis conditions, and laboratory supplies needed for analyzing polyolefins by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) or Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) technique.   The data and recommendations presented here have been derived from the . . . read more »

How to choose the most appropriate combination of detectors for high temperature SEC/GPC analysis of polyolefins

  High Temperature Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) – also called Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) – is the most widespread technique to characterize the microstructure of polymers. Different detector-configurations can be used with SEC instrumentation, each of them contributing to the . . . read more »

Comparison of Infrared detectors for GPC/SEC analysis

  By coupling GPC-IR and GPC-QC* with any of Polymer Char’s Infrared detectors – IR4, IR5, or IR6 – it is possible to obtain both molecular weight distribution and chemical composition information of polyolefin resins. Each IR detector was developed . . . read more »

How we make our GPC/SEC columns last longer (almost 2 years)

  As analysts in the Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) field, we know that picking the right columns and developing a stable analysis method is essential to delivering precise and accurate results. Even the most comprehensive analytical system will fail to . . . read more »