Melting points molecular weight effect

Interfacial effects are also very important in polymer melts. The variation of the surface tension of a polymer melt with molecular weight is associated to subtle interactions between the end points and the interface and only starts to be understood. 

It should be noted that polystyrene with a number average molecular weight of 50000 has a Tg only about 2°C less than would be expected of a polystyrene of infinitely high molecular weight. Hence increasing the molecular weight beyond this point in order to raise the Tg would not be very effective and at the same time it would lead to large increases in melt viscosity. 

Physical characteristics Molecular weight Vapour density Specific gravity Melting point Boiling point Solubility/miscibility with water Viscosity Particle size size distribution Eoaming/emulsification characteristics Critical temperature/pressure Expansion coefficient Surface tension Joule-Thompson effect Caking properties... 

Free phenol is a major concern in the manufacture of novolac resins. This is true for several reasons. The strongest drivers are probably EPA classification of phenol as a Hazardous Air Pollutant and worker safety concerns. However, free phenol also has significant technical effects on such parameters as melt flow characteristics. In this role, free phenol may undermine the desired effects of a molecular weight design by increasing flow beyond the desired point. Since free phenol is often variable, the effects on flow may also cause variation in product performance from batch to batch. Fig. 18 shows the effects of free phenol on the flow across a series of molecular weights. Free phenol contents between 1 and 10% are commonly seen. In recent years, much work has been aimed at reducing the free phenol. 

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