ABSTRACT
The purpose of a comparison of different analytical methods is to ascertain their respective advantages and disadvantages. The aim is then to chose a suitable alternative for the solution of a given analytical problem. The variety of FFF methods and techniques and other analytical separation methods that permit fractionation and characterization of polymers and particles makes a detailed comparison difficult. This is why a considerably small number of works dealing with this problem have been published. Thermal FFF used to be compared with competitive size exclusion chromatography (SEC). With regard to the similarity of experimental procedures and instrumental techniques of FFF and chromatography, a comparison of these methods and techniques concerning their possible application for the analysis of polymers and particles seems to be useful. Computerization has penetrated into both the control of experiments and the evaluation of experimental data in analytical practice. The consumers often schedule particular programs for computations by themselves.
