ASTM D5017 Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Composition

Scope:

The molar composition of copolymers made from ethylene (ethene) and a second alkene-1  monomer is determined using the ASTM D5017 test technique. Propene, butene-1, hexene-1,  octene-1, and 4-methyl pentene-1 are examples of the second monomer. This test method’s calculations are valid for products with the units EEXEE, EXEXE, EXXE, EXXXE, and, of course, EEE, where E is ethene and X is alkene-1.

Procedure:

Polymer samples are dispersed in the hot solvent and examined using Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at high temperatures as per the ASTM D5017 test. Spectra are captured in such a way that each chemically distinct carbon’s response is similar. The copolymer composition is calculated using integrated responses for carbons originating from distinct comonomers.

Specimen size:

In ASTM D5017 test procedure, a homogeneous sample of the polymer weighing 1.2 grams is used.

Data:

The ASTM D5017 test method results can be converted from mole percent alkene-1 to branches per 1000 carbons (BR/1000C).

Conclusion:

The molar composition of copolymers made from ethylene (ethene) and a second alkene-1  monomer is determined using the ASTM D5017 test technique.