GPC

What Is GPC?

GPC separates polymer molecules based on their hydrodynamic volume (size in solution) rather than chemical interaction. As a polymer solution passes through a column packed with porous gel, larger molecules elute first, followed by smaller ones.

By comparing elution behavior to calibration standards or using advanced detection methods, GPC determines molecular weight parameters and distribution.

What GPC Measures

GPC provides key molecular weight information, including:

Number-average molecular weight (Mn)
Weight-average molecular weight (Mw)
Molecular weight distribution
Polydispersity index (PDI = Mw/Mn)
Relative changes in molecular architecture

These parameters are critical for predicting processing behavior and end-use performance.

Why GPC Matters

Molecular weight strongly influences polymer properties such as:

mechanical strength and toughness
viscosity and melt flow behavior
processability during extrusion or molding
thermal and chemical resistance
aging and degradation behavior

GPC helps you:

verify polymer grade and consistency
compare suppliers or batches
detect degradation, chain scission, or crosslinking
optimize formulations and processing conditions
support material selection and specification control

Typical Application Scenarios

Polymer Quality Control

Batch-to-batch molecular weight consistency
Incoming material qualification
Detection of off-spec material

Product Development & R&D

Evaluation of new polymer formulations
Correlation of molecular weight with performance
Screening processing effects on polymer structure

Failure Analysis & Degradation Studies

Investigation of molecular weight reduction due to heat, UV, or chemicals
Comparison of “good vs. failed” samples
Identification of aging or over-processing effects

Supplier & Competitor Comparison

Molecular weight comparison across suppliers
Competitive product benchmarking
Verification of claimed material grades

Sample Types

GPC is commonly applied to:

thermoplastics and thermosets (soluble fractions)
elastomers and rubbers
polymer resins and additives
coatings, adhesives, and sealants (soluble components)

Sample solubility and stability are evaluated before analysis to ensure reliable results.

What You Will Receive

Each GPC project is delivered with a clear, structured report designed for engineering and decision-making. A typical deliverable includes:

test objective and sample description
solvent and column selection
chromatograms and molecular weight distributions
Mn, Mw, and PDI values
comparison summaries (batch vs. batch, supplier vs. supplier)
interpretation of molecular weight impact on performance
recommendations for follow-up testing or optimization

Why Choose Xinbodi for GPC?

Extensive experience with diverse polymer systems
Proper method selection based on polymer chemistry
Reliable and repeatable molecular weight data
Clear interpretation beyond numerical outputs
Support for R&D, QC, and failure investigations
Confidential handling of proprietary formulations and materials

GPC