Generation of Continuous Liquid Crystalline Polymer Reinforcements in Thermoplastics by a Novel Blending Process
Abstract
The focus of this work was to investigate the potential of enhancing the mechanical properties of thermoplastic resins, with an emphasis on those which are considered commodity resins, by blending with liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs). There is an inherent problem, however, in achieving this goal in that thermotropic LCPs often have higher melting (or processing) temperatures than most thermoplastic polymers such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polypropylene (PP). To overcome this limitation a novel blending technique was developed in our laboratory in which the LCP and matrix polymers were plasticated in two separate extruders, and the melts then were brought together in a mixing head. Blends of PET and PP with several LCPs were successfully generated by the above technique. Either rods or flat films were extruded by attaching an appropriate die to the exit of the mixing head. The morphology of the blends showed that the LCP phase formed continuous reinforcing fibrils in the respective matrix material. A high degree of molecular orientation was also observed by means of wide-angle x-ray diffraction studies. Significant enhancements in the mechanical properties of rods, flat films and injection molded plaques of the blends correlated well with the morphology and orientation measurements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA232824
Entities
People
- A. Datta
- A. M. Sukhadia
- D. G. Baird
Organizations
- Virginia Tech