ISO 16014-1:2019

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 16014-1
Third edition
2019-05
Plastics — Determination of average
molecular weight and molecular
weight distribution of polymers using
size-exclusion chromatography —
Part 1:
General principles
Plastiques — Détermination de la masse moléculaire moyenne
et de la distribution des masses moléculaires de polymères par
chromatographie d'exclusion stérique —
Partie 1: Principes généraux
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
© ISO 2019
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ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 2
5 Reagents . 2
5.1 Eluent . 2
5.2 Reagent for column evaluation . 2
5.3 Molecular weight standards . 2
5.4 Reagent for flow rate marker (internal standard) . 3
5.5 Additives . 3
6 Apparatus . 3
6.1 General . 3
6.2 Eluent reservoir . 3
6.3 Pumping system . 3
6.4 Injector . 4
6.5 Columns . 5
6.5.1 General. 5
6.5.2 Determination of theoretical plate number . 5
6.5.3 Determination of resolution factor . 6
6.5.4 Determination of asymmetry factor . 7
6.6 Detector . 7
6.7 Tubing . 8
6.8 Temperature control . 8
6.9 Recorder and plotter . 8
6.10 Data-processing system . 8
6.11 Other components . 8
7 Procedure. 8
8 Data acquisition and processing . 9
8.1 Data acquisition . 9
8.2 Evaluation of data and correction of chromatograms . 9
8.3 Data processing . 9
8.3.1 Baseline determination . 9
8.3.2 Determination of calculation range . 9
9 Expression of results .11
9.1 Calibration curve .11
9.2 Calculation of average molecular weight .12
9.3 Differential molecular weight distribution curve .13
9.4 Cumulative molecular weight distribution curve .13
10 Precision .14
11 Test report .14
11.1 General .14
11.2 Apparatus and measurement parameters .14
11.3 Calibration of the system .15
11.4 Calibration curve .15
11.5 Results .15
Annex A (informative) Supplementary information .16
Annex B (informative) Narrow molecular weight distribution standards .17
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
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ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
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World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 5, Physical-
chemical properties.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 16014-1:2012), which has been
technically revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— publication dates of references have been removed;
— the term “system peak” has been added to Figure 4;
— molecular mass has been changed to molecular weight according to IUPAC rule.
A list of all parts in the ISO 16014 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 16014-1:2019(E)
Plastics — Determination of average molecular weight
and molecular weight distribution of polymers using size-
exclusion chromatography —
Part 1:
General principles
1 Scope
This document specifies a general method for determining the average molecular weight and the
molecular weight distribution of polymers using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC).
The average molecular weight and the molecular weight distribution are calculated from a calibration
curve constructed using polymer standards if using one of the SEC techniques described in ISO 16014-2
to ISO 16014-4 or from a calibration curve constructed using absolute molecular weight data if using
size-exclusion chromatography coupled with light-scattering detection (SEC-LS) as described in
ISO 16014-5.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 472, Plastics — Vocabulary
ISO 16014-2, Plastics — Determination of average molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of
polymers using size-exclusion chromatography — Part 2: Universal calibration method
ISO 16014-3, Plastics — Determinati
...