ABSTRACT
The methods used to characterize polyethylene resins and products are numerous and varied in their principles of operation and range of properties investigated. Due to the close relationship between molecular characteristics, morphology, and final product attributes, a given technique may provide information about many aspects of a sample's characteristics. Thus, differential scanning calorimetry can yield information regarding the degree of crystallinity and distribution of crystallite thicknesses as well as data that can be used to predict elastic modulus and heat distortion temperature. No single technique can furnish a comprehensive picture of a polyethylene sample, the raw data most usefully being interpreted in light of the results from other experiments. Due to the large number of characterization techniques available-many of them highly complex-limitations of space permit only a brief description of each. In this chapter emphasis is placed on analytical methods that are singular to polymers.
