Molecular weight and solution viscosity characterization of PVC

As a means of developing the most accurate possible Mark‐Houwink relationship possible for PVC, the literature Mark‐Houwink coefficients for the weight average molecular weight (MW) of PVC in THF are plotted and the derived “grand average” Mark‐Houwink relationship (K = 15.56 × 10−3 ml/g, a = 0.7690) is shown. High pressure‐size exclusion chromatography (HP‐SEC) data from two independent laboratories was used along with the “grand average” Mark‐Houwink coefficients to calculate absolute number of average molecular weight (MN) and weight average molecular weight values for PVC. An easy‐to‐use table has been developed to detail the relationships between MN, MW, K value, and inherent viscosity (I. V.).