QUANTIFICATION OF ALPHA-OLEFIN COPOLYMER IN LINEAR LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE BY FOURIER-TRANSFORM INFRARED-SPECTROSCOPY

alpha-Olefin co-monomers in linear low-density polyethylenes are known to alter/control the polymer properties. This information is essentia l for achieving specific/desired end use application in polymer proces sing industry. Knowledge, therefore, of both the type and quantity of co-monomer in unknown commercial linear low-density polyethylene is al so useful for cost estimation. A quick and simple method based on Four ier transform infrared spectroscopy is described for direct determinat ion of the co-monomer content which could be used on a routine basis a s a quality parameter.