Liquid crystal polymers physical properties

For a thermotropic liquid crystal, its physical properties, such as birefringence, viscosity, dielectric anisotropy, and elastic constant, are all dependent on the operation temperature -except at different rates. Polymer-stabilized BPLC is no exception [45]. Figure 14.10 shows... 

Liquid crystal polymers (LCP) are polymers that exhibit liquid crystal characteristics either in solution (lyotropic liquid crystal) or in the melt (thermotropic liquid crystal) [Ballauf, 1989 Finkelmann, 1987 Morgan et al., 1987]. We need to define the liquid crystal state before proceeding. Crystalline solids have three-dimensional, long-range ordering of molecules. The molecules are said to be ordered or oriented with respect to their centers of mass and their molecular axes. The physical properties (e.g., refractive index, electrical conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion) of a wide variety of crystalline substances vary in different directions. Such substances are referred to as anisotropic substances. Substances that have the same properties in all directions are referred to as isotropic substances. For example, liquids that possess no long-range molecular order in any dimension are described as isotropic. 

Some of the common types of plastics that are used are thermoplastics, such as poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) (see POLYMERS CONTAINING SULFUR), nylons, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), the polyesters (qv) such as polyesters that are 30% glass-fiber reinforced, and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polyetherimide (PEI) and thermosets such as diallyl phthalate and phenolic resins (qv). Because of the wide variety of manufacturing processes and usage requirements, these materials are available in several variations which have a range of physical properties. 

Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) have been a source of considerable interest for some time, as they have been shown to offer particular advantages in terms of their processability and physical properties which make them attractive in a wide range of engineering applications.346 Serrano and his colleagues have reviewed metallomesogenic polymers, including the liquid crystalline properties of several of the platinum poly-yndiyl polymers described above.85,86... 

Thermotropic liquid crystal polymers (LCI ) are of considerable current interest, because of their theoretical and technological aspects [1-3]. Evidently, a new class of polymers has been developed, combining anisotropic physical properties of the liquid crystalline state with diaracteristic polymer features. This unique combination promises new and interesting material properties with potential ai lications, for example in the field of high modulus fibers [4], storage technology, or non-linear optics [5]. 

The book covers a wide range of topics within the field of polymer physics, beginning with a brief history of the development of synthetic polymers and an overview of the methods of polymerisation and processing. In the following chapter, David Bower describes important experimental techniques used in the study of polymers. The main part of the book, however, is devoted to the structure and properties of solid polymers, including blends, copolymers and liquid-crystal polymers. 

In recent years, investigators working in the field of physics and chemistry of high-molecular compounds have been paying a lot of attention to the problem of C3 eating liquid crystalline systems (V14). The great interest displayed in the study of properties of such systems can most probably be accounted for by two main factors firstly, by the advances in studies into the structure, properties and practical use of low-molecular liquid crystals in physics, technology and medicine, and, secondly, by the studies of the nature and salient features of the liquid crystalline state in polymers as a specific state of macromolecu-lar substeuices. 

The relationship between chemical structures and their physical performance is one of the central topics of polymer physics. lUPAC has recommended a whole set of names to describe the detailed chemical structures of polymer chains and their derivatives. However, in our daily communication, people prefer to use the popular names of polymers reflecting their characteristic physical performances, such as high-density polyethylene (HOPE), foamed polystyrene, thermoplastic elastomers, liquid crystal polymers, conductive polymers, and polyelectrolyte. Such terminology allows us to comprehend quickly the basic characteristics of chemical structures responsible for their specific physical properties. 

An interesting new development uses liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) to produce materials with exceptional physical and mechanical properties. Generally the LCP resin comprises of a polymer chain with structural units (mesogenic groups) which can be incorporated into the polymer backbone, or incorporated as a pendant group, or both. One approach is to use the epoxy resin system [18] ... 

One exception to the above mentioned trend in physical properties of immiscible blends is in the utilization of liquid crystal polymers as a reinforcement for a more flexible thermoplastic polymer. The fact that LCP s can act as reinforcing agents in a blend has led some workers to model the mechanical behavior of the blends using theories of composites. Thus, Dutta et al. (1990) showed that the moduli values of highly drawn melts that contain liquid crystal polymers can be treated effectively by a simple rule of mixtures. That is, the modulus of a blend is given by... 

Petra 140 (Allied Signal) is a 40 percent glass-reinforced polyethylene tereph-thalate from recycled soda bottles. It has a tensile strength of 26,000 psi and a heat-deflection temperature of 225°C at 264 psi. PC23MS-200 (MCR Polymers) contains at least 25 percent recyclate from personal computer compact disks and polyethylene terephthalate beverage bottles. DMDA-1343NT polyethylene (Union Carbide) contains 28 percent color-sorted recyclate and has physical properties similar to those of virgin stock. Encore resins (Hoechst Celanese) are a family of plastics based on 100 percent reclaimed thermoplastics such as acetal, polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, nylon 6/6, and liquid crystal polymer. 

Interest, academic and Industrial, In Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP s) was sparked by the commercialization of Kevlar aromatic polyamide fiber In the early 1970 s. [1,2] This fiber can be made almost as stiff and as strong as steel, at one fifth of the density of steel. In addition. It has good resistance to chemical attack and outstanding resistance to heat. From a scientific point of view, LCP s are Interesting because they. In addition to displaying a variety of phenomena and properties seen with conventional Isotropic polymers, also exhibit many of the complex physical properties of small molecule liquid crystals.[3]... 

Kim Yun Seong, Kim Hun Seong, Lee Hwan Seung, and Youn Ryoun Jae. Internal strue-ture and physical properties of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer/poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) composite fibers. Composites Part A. 40 no. 5 (2009) 607-612. 

Bandyopadhyay, J., S. Sinha Ray, and M. Bousmina. 2008. Viscoelastic properties of clay-containing nanocomposites of thermotropic liquid-crystal polymer. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 210 (2) (December 17) 161-171. doi 10.1002/macp.200800479. http //doi.wiley.eom/10.1002/macp.200800479. 

Polymers and liquid ciystals are important materials for various research fields. If the two substances are mixed, novel materials which combine the advantageous properties of both may be formed. 1 began to think about this around 1994. Already at that time, this mixed system had attracted attention as an electro-optical material, but from the perspective of basic physical properties, the center of the liquid crystal research up to that point was the phase transition and Uquid crystal stracture of novel low molecular weight liquid crystals. The physics of liquid crystals was based on the Onsager theory, the Maier-Saupe theory, and the elastic theory by Frank. However, the theoretical study of a liquid crystal mixed with other substances had not yet been developed. So, 1 began to think to build theories of phase separations and phase transitions in mixtures of liquid crystals and other substances. Our first paper on the theory of phase separations in the mixture of a polymer and a liquid crystal was published in 1996 [41]. 1 found at a later date that a paper on the same topic by Prof. Kyu of Akron University had been presented already in 1995 [42]. However, there was a difference between the two theories. Kyu s theory has dealt with low molecular weight liquid crystals in an attractive model, whereas our model considered both attractive and repulsive interactions between rodlike liquid crystal molecules and can handle also long rodlike molecules. After that, I had a variety of discussions with Kyu and it was a valuable experience for my research. 

The influence of mesomorphic polymer components on the morphological, physical, and rheological properties of blends with polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, and polyolefin matrix has been investigated in several cases [115]. Studies on blends of PET, PBT, PC, PS with main chain liquid crystal polymers and copolymers of various type (including flexible LC copolyesters and wholly aromatic LC copolyesters) showed that the phase transitions and properties were largely dependent on the chemical structure, molar mass, processing conditions, and concentration of components [132-134]. Generally, these systems displayed phase separation in the molten... 

Two approaches to the attainment of the oriented states of polymer solutions and melts can be distinguished. The first one consists in the orientational crystallization of flexible-chain polymers based on the fixation by subsequent crystallization of the chains obtained as a result of melt extension. This procedure ensures the formation of a highly oriented supramolecular structure in the crystallized material. The second approach is based on the use of solutions of rigid-chain polymers in which the transition to the liquid crystalline state occurs, due to a high anisometry of the macromolecules. This state is characterized by high one-dimensional chain orientation and, as a result, by the anisotropy of the main physical properties of the material. Only slight extensions are required to obtain highly oriented films and fibers from such solutions. 

The preparation and study of metal nanoparticles constitutes an important area of current research. Such materials display fascinating chemical and physical properties due to their size [62, 63]. In order to prevent aggregation, metal nanoparticles are often synthesized in the presence of ligands, functionalized polymers and surfactants. In this regard, much effort has focused on the properties of nanoparticles dispersed into LCs. In contrast, the number of nanoparticles reported that display liquid crystal behavior themselves is low. Most of them are based on alkanethiolate stabilized gold nanoparticles. 

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