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A literature review on the in situ generation of reinforcing fibers
Author(s) -
Qin Yimin
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1581(199603)7:3<151::aid-pat495>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - materials science , polymer , composite material , rheology , extrusion , modulus , composite number , fiber , viscosity , polymer science
Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) are a relatively new class of materials. These polymers usually consist of rigid rodlike molecular chains and they are capable of forming highly oriented structures even in the as‐made product, with strength/modulus significantly higher than those of the conventional flexible chain polymers. Blending of LCPs with conventional polymers produces composite‐like structures with LCPs serving as the reinforcing component. The properties of the blends are affected by the size, shape and distribution of the LCPs in the matrix polymer, which in turn are related to the processing conditions such as the blend composition, the extrusion and drawing conditions, the viscosity ratio of the component polymers and the type and grade of the LCPs and the matrix polymers. Improved processability of the blend due to the reduction in viscosity and the improved interfacial adhesion between reinforcing fibers and the matrix polymer are among the advantages of these materials over the conventional short fiber reinforced composites. This paper gives a brief review of the work currently available in the literature on rheology, fabrication, blend morphology and mechanical/thermal properties of the in situ composites from blends of LCPs and conventional polymers.