MC-LCPs

MC-LCPs are q>plicable as Ugb strengifa and hig i modulus materials with higb heat deflection temperatures (3). Our efforts described in flus article have been to contribute a flurd class of liquid crystal pofymers diat have chemical structures similar to conventional SC-LCPs but have chain properties, chain rigidil in particular, similar to that of MC-LCPs. They are "Mesogen-Jacketed liquid Crystal Potymefs or MlLCPs for short. 

As already mentioned, the anisotropy of shape is a fundamental requirement for the formation of LCs. It is necessary to recognize a further criterion, and this relates to the rigidity of the molecule. Until recently, the rule was that the molecule has to be long and rodlike for mesomorphism to occur, but it has now been established that disc-like, pyramid-like and phasm-like (from the name of six-legged stick-like insects) molecules may also form mesophases (Fig. 2.1). The synthesis of many compounds exhibiting various kinds of LC behaviour was achieved during the last fifteen years. The reader is referred to recent reviews by Demus. Examples of both main-chain (MC) and side-chain (SC) LCPs exist in a wide variety of the classes of high polymers. 

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