ADDITIVE EFFECTS ON THERMOTROPIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMER ALLOYS .3. EFFECTS OF 3RD COMPONENT OF THERMOTROPIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMER ON MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF BLENDS OF EKONOL AND POLYARYLATE

The effects of the third component of semi-aromatic thermotropic liqui d crystal polymer (TLCP) on the mechanical properties and structure of the blends of polyarylate and a wholly aromatic TLCP were studied. Th e wholly aromatic TLCP was Ekonol (Sumitomo Chemical Co.) and the semi -aromatic TLCP was Rodlan LC (Unitka Co.). Ekonol (a major component), PAr and Rodlan were blended in the molten state, the extrudate of whi ch was cut and injection-molded. The mechanical properties of the tern ary blend were improved by the combination of PAr and Rodlan with Ekon ol. SEM revealed that the affinities of the components were improved a nd finer fibrils of TLCP formed in the ternary blend. X-Ray diffractio n analysis showed that the orientation of TLCP fibrils in the blend wa s enhanced by the addition of the third component of TLCP, which resul ted in the improved mechanical properties.