Question

When is it good for a polymer to have a small intrinsic viscosity?

Answer 1

Polymers behave strange and it becomes viscous when it is dissolved in a solvent. The molecular arrangement is liberal somehow in polymers and they move slowly. When it is mixed with solvent where the molecules moves in a rapid motion compared to polymers, their slow motion formulated the solution as viscous Polymers are acts as thickening agents in the manufacture of shampoo and ice cream. Polymers molecular weight is estimated using this thickening factor. The polymer-solvent affinity is a key factor for intrinsic viscosity.

The intrinsic viscosity can be brought down when the solvent used to dissolve is in higher temperature.