Fully-automated high-temperature GPC/SEC system with highly sensitive infrared detector for molar mass distribution and chemical composition analysis of polyolefins

With extensive experience in the development of high-temperature instruments for polyolefin analysis, Polymer Char offers the GPC-IR® instrument, a reliable multiple detector Gel Permeation

Chromatography (GPC) system dedicated to the characterisation of polyolefins. It can be integrated with one of two options of high-stability infrared (IR) detectors with outstanding baseline and simultaneous detection of total concentration and chemical composition, which adds a new dimension to the GPC analysis. The built-in IR detection provides the most comprehensive characterization of polymers such as HDPE, PP, LDPE, LLDPE, EP copolymers, EVA, EBA and others in the group of polyolefins.

The two different infrared detectors available are: IR5 MCT, with enhanced sensitivity and stability to measure concentration and chemical composition (SCB/1000TC); and the classic IR4, which offers a broader spectral range enabling the analysis of the carbonyl group containing copolymers. Other detectors that can be coupled to the GPC-IR® system are Polymer Char’s four-capillary bridge viscometer and a Multi-Angle Light Scattering for the determination of absolute molar mass and study of Long Chain Branching (LCB). This triple-detection system thus, provides the most complete and comprehensive results for polyolefin characterization.

Additionally, Polymer Char’s GPC-IR® brings forth a level of automation that adds reliability to the final results. The instrument automatically performs all sample preparation steps including the initial filling of vials with solvent and in-line filtration. As a result, neither vial transfer nor manual handling of solvent is required throughout the whole analytical process. Other key automation features are incorporated to overcome historical problems usually arisen when working with high-temperature GPC/SEC analysis, including the company’s Sample Care protocols that preserve the integrity of the sample along the whole analytical cycle.

Finally, data processing becomes simple and powerful thanks to the GPC One® Software, a comprehensive calculations software package developed in collaboration with the industry leaders that integrates all detectors’ signals.

Polymer Char’s GPC-IR® stands as a new generation of instruments for polyolefin characterization in terms of repeatability, automation, and reliability.