Linear low density polyethylenes and their blends: Part 1. Molecular characterization

Ten commercial linear low‐density polyethylenes (LLDPE) were characterized by solution viscosity, size exclusion chromatography, SEC, and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance. The resins were copolymers of ethylene with butene, hexene, or octene. They were prepared in gas phase (with narrow or very broad molecular weight distribution), or in solution. The macromolecules were found to be linear. For all but the very broad molecular weight distribution resins the average comonomer sequence length was found to be 1; in the other case diad formation was observed. The weight average molecular weights calculated from SEC, and intrinsic viscosities agreed quite well. Mechanical degradation of LLDPE was observed during the solution viscosity measurements.