BIODEGRADABLE LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE AROMATIC POLYESTERS

Two strategies designed for the mechanical reinforcement of biodegrada ble polyesters, such as poly-(epsilon-caprolactone), poly (L-lactide) and their copolyesters, are described. Both strategies utilize more or less biodegradable thermotropic aromatic polyesters as reinforcing co mponent. However, the structures of the aromatic polyesters differ lar gely. For strategy I polyesters composed of substituted hydroquinones and substituted terephthalic acids are used (which may contain anhydri de groups), whereas the polyesters of strategy II are made up of natur al nontoxic monomers such as beta-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid.