This part of ISO 16014 specifies a general method for determining the average molecular mass and the molecular mass distribution of polymers using SEC-LS, i.e. size-exclusion chromatography coupled with light-scattering detection. The average molecular mass and the molecular mass distribution are calculated from molecular mass data and mass concentrations determined continuously with elution time. The molecular mass at each elution time is determined absolutely by combining a light-scattering detector with a concentration-sensitive detector. Therefore, SEC-LS is classified as an absolute method.

For the applicability of the method, see ISO 16014-1:2012, Clause A.1.