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 liquid crystal polymer (TLCP) on the mechanical properties and structure of the blends of polyarylate and a wholly aromatic TLCP were studied. The 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 which was cut and injection-molded. The mechanical properties of the ternary blend were improved by the combination of PAr and Rodlan with Ekonol. SEM revealed that the affinities of the components were improved and finer fibrils of TLCP formed in the ternary blend. X-Ray diffraction analysis showed that the orientation of TLCP fibrils in the blend was enhanced by the addition of the third component of TLCP, which resulted in the improved mechanical properties.