Characterization of branched polymers

Most long-chain-branched polymers occurring in practice are formed by processes statistical in nature and this results in substances highly nonuniform in molecular weight, number of branch points per molecule, and in the architecture of molecules with a particular number of branch points. The most reliable information on the degree of branching is obtained by determining the weight-average molecular weight, by light scattering, and the intrinsic viscosity, and by comparing the intrinsic viscosity with that of a linear polymer with the same weight-average molecular weight. If an appropriate model exists for the particular polymer, its more detailed description may be possible.