Gel Permeation Chromatography of Unsaturated Polyester Resins. Possibilities and Limitations

Abstract
The use of gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for the characterization of unsaturated polyester resins is demonstrated on several examples. Number-average molecular weights determined by this method are compared to data obtained by means of vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) and by end group analysis (EG). The determination of the polyester resin composition as a function of molecular weight by stop-and-go UV scanning procedure is described. A comparison of theoretical and experimental molecular distribution is applied to the estimation of branching extent.