Fractionation of polyethylene

Abstract

Abstract Commercial polyethylenes were fractionated at 130°C., 15 degrees above the crystalline melting point of the polymer. Both extraction and precipation techniques were used. The solvent was xylene, and the nonsolvent was triethylene glycol. The inherent viscosities of the fractions were measured and the differential and integral distribution curves were presented. A method of constructing the differential and integral distribution curves was discussed. Using this method, fractionation data can be smoothed out from a linear plot, and the graphic differentiation step in constructing differential distribution curves can be eliminated.