ASTM D5296-11

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D5296–05 Designation:D5296–11
Standard Test Method for
Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight
Distribution of Polystyrene by High Performance Size-
1
Exclusion Chromatography
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5296; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of molecular weight (MW) averages and the distribution of molecular weights
for linear, soluble polystyrene by liquid high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). This test method is not
absolute and requires the use of commercially available narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD) polystyrene standards for
calibration.This test method is applicable for samples containing molecular weight components that have elution volumes falling
within the elution volume range defined by polystyrene standards (that is, molecular weights generally from 2000 to 2000000
−1
g·mol ).
1.2 The HPSEC is differentiated from traditional size-exclusion chromatography SEC (also referred to as gel permeation
chromatography(GPC))inthatthenumberoftheoreticalplatespermetrewithanHPSECsystemisaboutatleasttentimesgreater
2
than that for traditional SEC (see Terminology D883 and Practice D3016). The HPSEC systems employ low-volume liquid
chromatography components and columns packed with relatively small (generally 3 to 20 µm) microporous particles.
High-performance liquid chromatography instrumentation and automated data handling systems for data acquisition and
processing are required.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 9.
NOTE1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. 1—There is no known ISO equivalent to this standard.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics
D2857 Practice for Dilute Solution Viscosity of Polymers
D3016 Practice for Use of Liquid Exclusion Chromatography Terms and Relationships
E685 Practice for Testing Fixed-Wavelength Photometric Detectors Used in Liquid Chromatography
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of technical terms pertaining to plastics used in this test method see Terminology D883.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 In this test method a dilute solution of a polystyrene sample is injected into a liquid mobile phase containing the same
solventusedtopreparethepolymersolution.Themobilephasetransportsthepolymerintoandthroughachromatographiccolumn
(or set of columns connected in series) packed with a solid or semirigid, porous substrate which separates the polymer molecules
according to their size in solution. Starting from injection, a detector continuously monitors the eluate as a function of elution
volume (or time). Upon emerging from the column(s), the size-separated molecules are detected and recorded according to their
concentration. Through calibration, the elution volumes (or times) are converted to molecular weights, and various molecular
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.70 on Analytical Methods.
Current edition approved MarchSept. 1, 2005.2011. Published March 2005.September 2011. Originally approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 19972005 as
D5296-97.D5296-05. DOI: 10.1520/D5296-05.10.1520/D5296-11.
2
See also AMD Bibliography and Bibliography Supplements AMD 40-S1, 40-S2, and 40-S3 on Size Exclusion Chromatography, available from ASTM Headquarters.
3
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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