Determination of the viscosity number of thermoplastics in dilute solution; polyamides (PA)

This West German Standard presents a test used to determine the viscosity number of polyamides and copolyamides which are easily diluted in sulfuric acid, and for other polyamides which are less easily diluted in sulfuric acid, and which are diluted in m-cresol. As formic acid is often used in industry instead of sulfuric acid, this solvent is also presented as an alternative, however, sulfuric acid is preferred because of the thermodynamic solubility characteristics of the polyamides and the handling safety. In addition, it is shown which solvent should be used for each polyamide. Finally, determinations concerning the preparation of the samples are presented. Using the viscosity number, a determination of the molar mass of the polyamides is possible.