The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (ATS FoC) is a leader among GPC testing labs. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) separates dissolved polymer molecules by hydrodynamic size as they pass through a porous chromatographic column. These measurements are essential for predicting processing characteristics, mechanical properties, and long-term material performance, making GPC analysis vital for quality assurance, research and development, material qualification, and failure investigations.
When Should Gel Permeation Chromatography Be Performed?
Manufacturers and product developers use GPC when molecular weight affects a polymer’s behavior, consistency, or service life. Assessing molecular weight profiles enables engineers to compare materials, verify production quality, and identify changes from manufacturing variables or environmental exposure. Common reasons to request GPC analysis include:
- Confirming batch-to-batch manufacturing consistency
- Comparing polymer formulations during product development
- Supporting failure investigations and root cause analysis
- Measuring degradation after heat, ultraviolet exposure, chemicals, or long-term service
Comparing chromatographic results from various production lots or exposure conditions helps manufacturers optimize material selection, refine processing parameters, and improve predictions of long-term product performance.
What GPC Testing Capabilities Should You Look for in an Analytical Laboratory?
Our laboratory offers flexible GPC/SEC analysis for a wide range of polymer systems, including those with complex solubility challenges. We tailor each method to the sample’s chemistry to ensure reliable molecular weight measurements and meaningful analytical data.
Our capabilities include:
Detectors
- Multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detection for direct measurement of absolute molecular weight
- Refractive index (RI) and UV/Vis absorbance detectors for relative molecular weight characterization
Mobile Phases
- Organic mobile phases, including tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), chloroform, and other solvent systems compatible with the sample
- Aqueous mobile phases formulated with pH-buffered solutions
- High-temperature trichlorobenzene (TCB) for olefin-based polymers such as LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, UHMWPE, polypropylene (PP), and similar copolymers
- High-temperature trichloronaphthalene for the analysis of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)
- Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) for polymers such as nylons, polyesters, and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with high glycolide content
Our technicians perform chemical derivatization for polymers with limited solubility, including advanced engineering materials such as PEEK. This enables accurate molecular weight characterization when standard preparation techniques are ineffective. Most projects require about 20 mg of material, but providing several hundred milligrams simplifies preparation and allows for additional testing if needed.
Contact Us
Contact our team by submitting an online inquiry or calling +1 (888) 287 -5227 to request a quote and learn how our GPC analysis services can support your next project.
