GPC/SEC chromatograph
CFC Polymer Char

High resolution cross-fractionation of Polyolefins has been made possible through the new Polymer Char's CFC (Cross-Fractionation Chromatography) fully automated instrument. Two-dimensional distribution relating molar mass and composition variables is often required for comprehensive characterization of complex materials, and complete cross-fractionation is the only technique which has determined it with no loss of information.

Separate information on MMD and CCD, which are routinely determined by SEC/GPC (Size Exclusion Chromatography, Gel Permeation Chromatography) and TREF (Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation) or CRYSTAF (Crystallization Analysis Fractionation) respectively, although important and in many cases sufficient, are not enough to fully characterize a Polyolefin resin and the full bivariate distribution is required.

This compact automated instrument fractionates the polymer according to crystallinity, following a TREF separation process (Temperature Rising Elution Fractionation). Meanwhile, the resulting fractions are continuously injected towards the online GPC columns where a second fractionation, this time according to molar mass, is performed.

Polymer Char's analytical CFC technology overcomes the difficulties of preparative fractionation methods which are sometimes tedious and time consuming. The full bivariate distribution is now measured in hours instead of days, with limited solvent consumption and no manual intervention, in an intrinsically safe setup.

Virtual instrumentation software allows flexible method development so that analysis time and resolution can be optimized.