Characterization of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester/polysulfone blends

The morphology, rheology, and mechanical properties of blends of polysulfone (PSF) with up to 65% of a wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) were investigated. In injection molded specimens a skin-core morphology was observed with the LCP minor phase oriented in the skin and globular in the core. Scanning electron microscopy of fractured surfaces showed sharp phase boundaries, suggesting low interfacial adhesion. The neat PSF and blends with low amounts of LCP exhibited a low shear Newtonian plateau not observed in the blends with high LCP levels. The addition of LCP to PSF resulted in an increase in stiffness, a small increase in tensile strength, and a significant improvement in processability.     

A study on the ternary blends of nylon 6, a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer,and a thermoplastic elastomer

Reactive extrusions were performed with blends of nylon 6 and a liquid crystalline copolyesteramide (LCP) including a functionalized elastomer (maleic anhydride grafted ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer). The functionalized elastomer acts as a compatibilizer at the interface. The thermal behavior of the blends suggests partial compatibility of the components endowed by the produced graftcopolymer. A finer dispersion was observed for the compatibilized blends. Fine fibrils were also observed even when no extensional force was applied, indicating the importance of interfacial adhesion for the dispersed phase deformation. The shear viscosity of the ternary blend was lower than those of the neat polymers. The mechanical properties of the compatibilized blends, however, were not significantly improved except when an optimum amount of compatibilizer was added. Explanations for the compatibilizing action of the elastomer and mechanical performance of the ternary blends are presented.     

Slit die flow measurements of a liquid crystalline polyesteramide and its blends with polyarylate

A commercial thermotropic polyesteramide and its blends with polyarylate are the object of a slit die flow rheological study. The measurements are carried out at 280°C, a temperature slightly above the melting temperature of the thermotropic, covering a shear rate range 10^?1 s^?1 to 10²s^?1. Except in the case of the thermotropic polymer, the pressure profiles are upward parabolic which is attributed to the dependence of the viscosity on pressure. The most striking result is the observed downward curvature in pressure profiles obtained for the liquid crystalline polyesteramide: no explanation is given for this phenomenon, for the present. The elasticity of the polymer melts is expressed in terms of the exit pressure and the extrudate swell. The thermotropic polyesteramide presents negative values of both parameters (e.g. samples shrink instead of swell). Viscosity and elasticity present negative deviation from linearity when plotted against composition; this reduction in the rheological functions, caused by the addition of liquid crystal, is more pronounced at high shear rates.     

Rheology and physical properties of ternary blends containing a thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester

Ternary blends of polyarylate (PAR) U-Polymer 100, thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester (LCP) Vectra A950, and a block copolyesterether Hytrel 7246 were investigated in terms of rheological properties, morphology, and mechanical properties. The PAR/Hytrel blend exhibited melting point depression and gave a unique single T_g over the entire range of blend compositions. Addition of Hytrel to the PAR/LCP blend decreased both dynamic viscosity and storage modulus over the normal processing temperature range. Further, it notably reduced the voids between the LCP domains and the matrix, and improved the mechanical properties. The optimum usage level of Hytrel proved to be 2 phr.     

Structural,rheological, and mechanical properties of ternary blends of PEN,PET, and liquid crystalline polymer

Structural, rheological, and mechanical properties of ternary blends of a liquid crystalline copolyester (LCP) composed of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2,6-hydroxynaphthoic acid, poly(ehtylene naphthalate)(PEN), and poly(ethylene terephtalate) (PET) were investigated using capillary rheometry, tensile testing, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Viscosity-shear rate behavior of the ternary blends is very similar to that of pure polymers and their binary blends. The activation energy of flows of the ternary blends was smaller than those of PEN and PET. Tensile modulus and strength of extruded strands of the blends increased with increasing LCP content. The extruded strands of the blends consist of a crystalline and oriented LCP phase and an amorphous and unoriented PEN/PET blended phase. Tensile mechanical properties and structures of the ternary blends were discussed.     

Dynamic rheological properties of polyetherimide/polyetheretherketone/liquid crystalline polymer ternary blends

The dynamic rheological properties of poly(etherimide)/poly(etheretherketone)/liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) ternary blends were measured in order to correlate these properties with the morphology obtained after extrusion. The viscosity radio, η_d/η_m, where η_d = disperse phase viscosity and η_m = matrix viscosity, had to be redefined. Below 50 wt% LCP, η_d = η_LCP, η_m = η_PEEK+PEI and η_d/η_m < 1. Above 50 wt% LCP, η_d = η_PEEK+PEI, η_m = η_LCP and η_d/η_m > 1. Fibrillar morphologies were obtained in both cases, except below a concentration of 20 wt% LCP. At low concentrations of LCP the ternary blends had lower viscosities than the component polymers, showing a flow promotion effect of the LCP on the PEI- and PEEK-rich phases.     

Studies on blends of melt‐processable liquid crystalline polymers and thermoplastics. I. Blend of polyesteramide with polyethylene

The processability characteristics, physicomechanical properties, and thermal decomposition characteristics of blends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyesteramide (PEA), a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, were studied using various analytical techniques. Studies on a Brabender Plasticorder at temperatures ranging from 170 to 230°C showed good melt processability for the blends. The melt rheology of the blends containing 0–15% of PEA at 170°C was studied using a capillary rheometer (Goettfert) fitted with a circular die (L/D = 30/1) at apparent shear rates ranging from 12 to 2300 s⁻¹. The samples containing PEA showed a comparatively lower die swell at high shear rates. X‐ray diffraction measurements showed a reduction in crystallinity of LDPE in the presence of 2–4% of PEA. Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the morphology of the fractured surface of the blend showed some degree of orientation, but not to the level typical of LCPs. However, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated significant improvement in the resistance to thermooxidative decomposition of LDPE modified with PEA. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1811–1817, 2000     

A study on blends of liquid crystalline copolyesters with polycarbonate. III. Mechanical properties of compatibilized blends

Blends of liquid crystalline poly(oxybenzoate-co-oxynaphthalate) (Vectra A950) and polycarbonate (PC) were prepared by adding a compatibilizer to the two polymers in a melt-blending process. The compatibilizer was based on controlled transesterification between synthesized poly(oxybenzoate-co-terephthalate) (40/60) and PC. The compatibilizer exhibited birefringence, and its thermal property was analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. The maximum increase in tensile modulus and tensile strength of these compatibilized Vectra blends were 24% and 54%, respectively, as compared with those of binary Vectra blend without compatibilizer resulting from an injection-molding process. The tensile properties of the compatibilized Vectra blends decreased once the concentration of the compatibilizer exceeded 2 phr. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1527–1533, 1997     

Viscoelastic properties of ternary in situ elastomer composites based on fluorocarbon, acrylic elastomers and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer blends

Dynamic mechanical analysis was performed to characterize the viscoelastic properties of binary and ternary blends of fluorocarbon elastomer (FKM), acrylic elastomer (ACM) and liquid crystalline polymer (LCP). The results showed that the storage and loss modulus of all the blends increased significantly with the weight percentage of the LCP. The glass transition temperature evaluated at the loss modulus peak, were in the range of −10-+5 °C for all the blends. The time temperature superposition principle was applied for the FKM/ACM and 20% LCP filled FKM/ACM blend in order to evaluate the changes in the viscoelastic properties of FKM/ACM blend by the addition of LCP. The Arrhenius and William-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equations were used to quantify the viscoelastic behaviour at the glass transition region. Both the blends exhibited a single relaxation, which is glass transition, observed as a peek in the loss modulus at 1 Hz. The glassy moduli of these two systems were found to be comparable, but the rubbery moduli of the LCP filled FKM/ACM was much higher than the LCP unfilled system. However, the viscoelastic behaviour of these two systems and their sensitivity to time temperature may be considered to be quite similar.     

Studies on a diphenylether modified poly(phenyl-1,4, phenylene terephthalate) liquid crystalline polymer and its blends with polycarbonate and polysulfone

Blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, LCP, (4,4′-dicarboxy diphenyl ether modified poly(phenyl-1,4-phenylene terephthalate)) with polycarbonate and polysulfone were prepared and characterized with respect to their thermal properties, viscoelastic behavior, processability and mechanical properties. The processability of the thermoplastics was significantly improved by the addition of small amounts of LCP. This was also reflected by decreases in the steady shear viscosities, though the dynamic complex viscosities of the blends were generally similar or higher than those of the individual component polymers. Composite fibers were spun from the blends and the tensile moduli and strengths were consistent with a morphology of highly oriented LCP microfibrils with high aspect ratios dispersed in the thermoplastic fiber. The properties increased with increasing draw ratio.     

A study on blends of liquid crystalline copolyesters with polycarbonate. II. Transesterification control

The inhibited and catalyzed ester exchange (transesterification) during melt blending of poly(bisphenol-A carbonate) (PC) and liquid crystalline poly(oxybenzoate-co-ethylene terephthalate) (POB–PET 40/60; P46) was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the ester exchange between P46 and PC was effectively inhibited for a 20% P46 blend at 240°C, as further confirmed by nuclear magnetic spectroscopy. When the blending temperature and P46 concentration increased, only the transesterification between the PET segment in P46 and PC took place under inhibition. The morphology of the blends was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and displayed a disconnected interface between P46 and PC under inhibition. Conversely, the transesterification took place between the POB segment in P46 and PC when a catalyst was added. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A compatibilizer for a blend of polysulfone with a liquid crystalline polyester

A ternary blend of polysulfone (PSF), a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP), and a compatibilizer was investigated. The TLCP was composed of terephthalic acid (TPA), m-phthalic acid (MPA), p-acetoxybenzoic acid (Ac-HBA), and 4,4′-diacetoxy bisphenyl (Ac-BP). The compatibilizer was a block copolymer of low molecular weight polysulfone and a rigid-rod chain. Morphological investigations showed that the TLCP in the ternary system exhibited improved adhesion and dispersion in a much finer scale than in binary blends of PSF/TLCP prepared under the same processing conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry confirmed this result. Significant improvements were seen in the values of tensile modulus and strength.     

Polyesters II: A review of phase behavior in binary blends: Amorphous,crystalline, liquid crystalline,and on transreaction

Thermal and mechanical studies on many linear polyesters have revealed their behavior in crystalline, liquid crystalline, and amorphous phases. Their phase behavior in binary compositions has also been studied by a range of additional techniques and in combinations including the polycarbonate of bisphenol-A. Regions of amorphous compatibility and incompatibility have been identified and measures made of transition temperature changes with composition. The conditions for transreaction have also been determined and the properties measured for the resultant new copolymers.     

A study on blends of liquid crystalline copolyesters with polycarbonate. I. Compatibility by transesterification

Blends of poly(bisphenol-A carbonate) (PC) and synthesized liquid crystalline poly(oxybenzoate-co-ethylene terephthalate 40/60) (P46) were prepared through meltmixing in a Brabender mixer. The miscibility of the blends at different compositions and blending time was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. The corresponding morphology of the blends was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. It was found that for blends containing more than 20% P46 and mixed at 250°C or above the transesterification between PC and P46 took place. This transesterification was confirmed at a blend containing 40% P46 by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The transesterification happened first between PC and the ester in the poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) block and then between PC and the ester in the polyoxybenzoate (POB) block. At 260°C and after 60 min' blending, the blend containing 30% P46 became an almost compatible system for appearing of a single glass transition temperature. This is also verified by the disappearing of P46 droplets in the PC matrix in the micrographs' observation. After 60 min' of blending, the compatibility of the system can be greatly improved even for the blend containing 40% P46 mixed at 260°C by the micrograph's observation. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Characterization of liquid crystalline polyester polycarbonate blends

Mechanical and rheological properties of blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polyester with a polycarbonate have been investigated. The blends are fibrillar in character and exhibit great hardness and toughness due to high degree of molecular orientation which develops during the melt blending and processing steps. Increases of the Young modulus by 100 percent are observed for blends containing only 10 percent of liquid crystalline polymer, LCP. Time-dependent behavior of the blends was investigated by performing solid state relaxation measurements and the relaxation modulus was also found to increase by the addition of LCP. The effect is relatively small in the glassy zone of viscoelastic response, but increases through the transition and viscous flow regions. The melt viscosity of the polycarbonate is slightly shear thinning whereas that of the unblended LCP increases rapidly with decreasing shear rate at low shear rate. This suggests the presence of yield stresses as confirmed by measurements on the Rheometics RSR in the stress sweep mode. The melt viscosity of the blends was found to be similar to that of the unblended polycarbonate, but more shear-thinning and less viscous. Preliminary results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are also presented.     

Influence of interactions on the mechanical,morphological and thermal properties of in situ ternary composites based on fluorocarbon elastomer,acrylic elastomer and liquid crystalline polymer blends

The mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of the binary and ternary blends of a fluorocarbon elastomer (FKM), an acrylic elastomer (ACM) and a liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) were investigated. The ternary blends were prepared by varying the amount of the LCP but fixing the ratio of the FKM and ACM. Addition of a third component, a polyacrylic rubber which interacted with the LCP, facilitated the structural development of the LCP phase by acting at the interface. The mechanical properties of the ternary blends were substantially improved because of both the fibril generation and adhesion of rubber particles on the LCP fibrils, which were attributed to the ACM interaction. Morphological investigations suggest that the fine fibrillation of the LCP domains is more apparent in the ternary blends than in the binary blends of FKM and LCP prepared under the same processing conditions. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed an improved thermal stability of the FKM in the presence of the LCP for the binary blends, but a lower thermal stability for the ternary blends. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Barrier properties of blends based on liquid crystalline polymers and polyethylene

Blends of an extrusion‐grade polyethylene and two different liquid crystalline polymers of Vectra type were prepared by melt mixing using poly(ethylene‐comethacrylic acid) as compatibilizer. Oxygen and water vapor permeability, transparency and welding strength of compression molded and film blown specimens were studied. The compression molded blends showed gas permeabilities conforming to the Maxwell equation assuming low permeability liquid crystalline polymer spheres in a high permeability polyethylene matrix. One of the liquid crystalline polymers with suitable rheological properties formed a more continuous phase in the film blown blends and a substantial decrease in oxygen and water vapor permeability was observed in these blends. The compression molded blends with 50% liquid crystalline polymer and some of blow molded blends showed very high gas permeabilities. It is believed that voids forming continuous paths through the structure were present in these samples. The blends showed significantly higher opacity than pure polyethylene.     

IR study of hydrogen bonding in novel liquid crystalline epoxy/DGEBA blends

The hydrogen bonding of LCE/DGEBA blend was studied using FT-IR. IR spectra of hydroxyl region and carbonyl region were investigated according to the content of LCE. IR spectra of LCE/DGEBA blend before and after curing were compared. Most hydroxyl group in DGEBA rich blends formed intermolecular or intramolecular hydrogen bonding after curing, while free hydroxyl group was present in LCE rich blends. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding was popular in DGEBA rich blends due to the conformational reason. Most carbonyl group was hydrogen bonded with hydroxyl or amine group after curing and the fraction of hydrogen bonded carbonyl was high in DGEBA rich blends. Received: 6 November 1996/Revised: 10 January 1997/Accepted: 14 January 1997     

Fibers from blends of PET and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate-Co-p-oxybenzoate), PET/PHB, with poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, have been studied in the form of as-spun and drawn fibers. DSC melting and crystallization results show that the PET is compatible with LCP and the crystallization of PET decreases by the addition of LCP in the matrix. Upon heating above the crystal melting temperature of PET, the blend shows good dispersion of LCP in the PET matrix. Wide angle X-ray diffraction of drawn blended fibers show the possible formation of LCP oriented domains. The mechanical properties of drawn fiber up to 10 wt% LCP composition exhibit significant improvement in tensile modulus and tensile strength with values of 17.7 GPa and 1.0 GPa, respectively. Values of modulus are compared with prediction from composite theory, assuming the blend system as nematic domains of LCP. dispersed in PET matrix.     

Studies on blends of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and polybutylene terephthalate

Summary Structure-property relationships of blends of a thermotropic polyester-type main-chain LCP and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) were investigated. LCP was melt blended with three different PBTs and the blends were processed by injection moulding or extrusion. Mechanical and thermal properties of the blends were determined and the blend structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). LCP acted as mechanical reinforcement for PBT and improved also its dimensional and thermal stability. The stiffness of PBT increased with increasing LCP content, but at the same time the blends became more brittle. In extrusion the orientation of LCP phases could be further enhanced by additional drawing, which led to significant improvements in strength and stiffness at LCP contents of 20–30 wt.-%.