Editing Polymer (section)

==Characterization==
{{Main|Polymer characterization}}
Polymer characterization spans many techniques for determining the chemical composition, molecular weight distribution, and physical properties. Select common techniques include the following:

*[[Size-exclusion chromatography]] (also called [[gel permeation chromatography]]), sometimes coupled with [[static light scattering]], can used to determine the number-average molecular weight, weight-average molecular weight, and [[polydispersity|dispersity]].
*Scattering techniques, such as [[static light scattering]] and [[small-angle neutron scattering]], are used to determine the dimensions ([[radius of gyration]]) of macromolecules in solution or in the melt. These techniques are also used to characterize the three-dimensional structure of microphase-separated [[block polymer]]s, polymeric micelles, and other materials.
*[[Wide-angle X-ray scattering]] (also called wide-angle X-ray diffraction) is used to determine the crystalline structure of polymers (or lack thereof).
*Spectroscopy techniques, including [[FTIR|Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy]], [[Raman spectroscopy]], and [[nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy]], can be used to determine the chemical composition.
*[[Differential scanning calorimetry]] is used to characterize the thermal properties of polymers, such as the glass-transition temperature, crystallization temperature, and melting temperature. The glass-transition temperature can also be determined by [[dynamic mechanical analysis]].
*[[Thermogravimetry]] is a useful technique to evaluate the thermal stability of the polymer.
*[[Rheology]] is used to characterize the flow and deformation behavior. It can be used to determine the [[viscosity]], [[elastic modulus|modulus]], and other rheological properties. Rheology is also often used to determine the molecular architecture (molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, branching) and to understand how the polymer can be processed.