Infrared spectroscopic studies on polyethylene, 5. The measurement of chain branching on powder polyethylene specimens

The scope and limitations of the potassium bromide disc technique for the infra-red determination of chain branching in small samples of polyethylene in powder form have been assessed. Many of the samples encountered have an average particle size, prior to grinding with potassium bromide, of about 100 μm and very satisfactory results have been obtained, but the presence of larger particles leads to poor quality discs and inferior results. The well established double beam technique proves suitable for removing the interfering methylene absorption and compensation with polymethylene in the form of a film rather than as a pressed disc is preferable. Difficulties were encountered in preparing branching standards in a uniform and fine powder form, to avoid variation of the absorption coefficient of the 1 378 cm^?1 methyl band with particle size. Such powders are best obtained by precipitation from solution rather than by low temperature milling. Despite these problems chain branching measurements may be made with a precision of between 5 and 10% and an accuracy of about 15%.