Fractionation during crystallization

Extensive gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) results are presented which reveal in much more detail than hitherto the effects of fractionation during the crystallization of polyethylene from solution. It is suggested how these results may be used to assess the affects of fractionation on the production of single crystals. In addition the results are compared with the fractionation which would be expected assuming the crystals to be in equilibrium with the solution. It was found that the results can be explained very well on this basis. A discussion of this rather unexpected result is included.