Standard Test Method for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Polystyrene by High Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
General Utility—The molecular weight (MW) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) are fundamental characteristics of a polymer sample. They may be used for a wide variety of correlations for fundamental studies, processing, or product applications. For example, the observed MWD may be compared to one predicted from assumed kinetics or mechanisms for a polymerization reaction. Differences between the values will allow alteration of theory or experimental design. Similarly, the strength, melt flow, and other properties of a polymer sample may be dependent on MW and MWD. Determinations of MW and MWD are used for quality control of polymers.
Limitations—Because of the need for specific calibration of the polymer type under study, and because of the specific nature of polymer/solvent/column-packing interactions, this test method is valid only for polystyrene and non-exclusion effects are to be avoided. However, many of the principles of the method may be applied in generating HPSEC methods for other polymer systems, for example, using the principles of universal calibration. (see Practice D 3016).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of molecular weight (MW) averages and the distribution of molecular weights for linear, soluble polystyrene by liquid high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). This test method is not absolute and requires the use of commercially available narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) polystyrene standards for calibration. This test method is applicable for samples containing molecular weight components that have elution volumes falling within the elution volume range defined by polystyrene standards (that is, molecular weights generally from 2000 to 2 000 000 gmol1).
1.2 The HPSEC is differentiated from traditional size-exclusion chromatography SEC (also referred to as gel permeation chromatography (GPC)) in that the number of theoretical plates per metre with an HPSEC system is about ten times greater than that for traditional SEC (see Terminology D 883 and Practice D 3016). The HPSEC systems employ low-volume liquid chromatography components and columns packed with relatively small (generally 3 to 20 m) microporous particles. High-performance liquid chromatography instrumentation and automated data handling systems for data acquisition and processing are required.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section .Note 1
There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.

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Publication Date
28-Feb-2005
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Drafting Committee
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ASTM D5296-05 - Standard Test Method for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Polystyrene by High Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D5296–05
Standard Test Method for
Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight
Distribution of Polystyrene by High Performance Size-
1
Exclusion Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5296; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
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1.1 This test method covers the determination of molecular 2.1 ASTM Standards:
weight (MW) averages and the distribution of molecular D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
weights for linear, soluble polystyrene by liquid high- D2857 Practice for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Polymers
performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). This D3016 Practice for Use of Liquid Exclusion Chromatogra-
test method is not absolute and requires the use of commer- phy Terms and Relationships
cially available narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) E685 Practice for Testing Fixed-Wavelength Photometric
polystyrene standards for calibration. This test method is Detectors Used in Liquid Chromatography
applicable for samples containing molecular weight compo- E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
nents that have elution volumes falling within the elution Determine the Precision of a Test Method
volume range defined by polystyrene standards (that is, mo-
−1
3. Terminology
lecular weights generally from 2000 to 2000000 g·mol ).
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of technical terms pertain-
1.2 The HPSEC is differentiated from traditional size-
exclusion chromatography SEC (also referred to as gel perme- ing to plastics used in this test method see Terminology D883.
ation chromatography (GPC)) in that the number of theoretical
4. Summary of Test Method
plates per metre with an HPSEC system is about ten times
4.1 In this test method a dilute solution of a polystyrene
greater than that for traditional SEC (see Terminology D883
2
sample is injected into a liquid mobile phase containing the
and Practice D3016). The HPSEC systems employ low-
samesolventusedtopreparethepolymersolution.Themobile
volume liquid chromatography components and columns
phase transports the polymer into and through a chromato-
packed with relatively small (generally 3 to 20 µm) micropo-
graphic column (or set of columns connected in series) packed
rous particles. High-performance liquid chromatography in-
with a solid or semirigid, porous substrate which separates the
strumentation and automated data handling systems for data
polymer molecules according to their size in solution. Starting
acquisition and processing are required.
frominjection,adetectorcontinuouslymonitorstheeluateasa
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
function of elution volume (or time). Upon emerging from the
standard.
column(s), the size-separated molecules are detected and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
recordedaccordingtotheirconcentration.Throughcalibration,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the elution volumes (or times) are converted to molecular
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
weights, and various molecular weight parameters for the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
samplearecalculatedfromthemolecularweight/concentration
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
data.
tionary statements are given in Section 9.
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 General Utility—The molecular weight (MW) and mo-
lecular weight distribution (MWD) are fundamental character-
1
istics of a polymer sample. They may be used for a wide
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD20onPlastics
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical Methods.
Current edition approved March 1, 2005. Published March 2005. Originally
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approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 1997 as D5296-97. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D5296-05. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
2
Seealso AMD Bibliography and Bibliography SupplementsAMD 40-S1, 40-S2, Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
and 40-S3 on Size Exclusion Chromatography,availablefromASTMHeadquarters. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D5296–05
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