Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.59, No.3, 443-452, 1996
The Effect of the Viscosity Ratio of Dispersed Phase to Matrix on the Rheological, Morphological, and Mechanical-Properties of Polymer Blends Containing a Lcp
The effect of the viscosity ratio of the dispersed LCP phase to the polystyrene/poly(phenylene oxide) (PS/PPO) thermoplastic matrix on the theological, morphological, and resultant mechanical properties of the LCP blends was investigated. The viscosity of PS/PPO is largely dependent on the blend composition, so that different levels of viscosity ratios of dispersed LCP phase to PS/PPO thermoplastic matrix are obtained by using PS/PPO premixtures of different blend ratios as a thermoplastic matrix. When the viscosity of the LCP dispersed phase is lower than that of the thermoplastic matrix, finely distributed fibril structure of LCP is obtained. Tensile modulus of injection molded specimens show a positive deviation from the additive rule when the viscosity ratio (eta(LCP)/eta(matrix)) is smaller than unity. These improvements in tensile modulus are attributed to the formation of finely distributed LCP fibrils.
Keywords:LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMER;POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE;THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES;POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE;POLYSTYRENE;POLY(ETHYLENE-TEREPHTHALATE);POLYPROPYLENE;COPOLYESTER;EXTRUSION;FLOW