COMPATIBILIZATION OF BLENDS CONTAINING THERMOTROPIC LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS WITH SULFONATE IONOMERS

Zinc salts of lightly sulfonated polystyrene ionomers (Zn-SPSs) are sh own to be effective compatibilizers for blends of a wholly aromatic li quid crystalline polyester (LCP) with nylon 66 (PA66) and polycarbonat e (PC). Zn-SPS is miscible with PC, PA66 and the LCP, though the origi ns of miscibility are different for the three binary blends. Zn-SPS an d PA66 mix because of strong intermolecular attractive interactions be tween the sulfonate and amide groups, while the ionomer is miscible wi th PC and the LCP as a result of intramolecular repulsive interactions along the ionomer molecules. The addition of Zn-SPS to LCP/PA66 and L CP/PC blends reduces the dispersed phase size and improves the adhesio n between the phases. The compatibilized blends have significantly hig her tensile modulus and tensile stress at break than the blends withou t ionomer.