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A study of polycarbonate‐liquid crystal polymer blends
Author(s) -
Magagnini P. L.,
Paci M.,
La Mantia F. P.,
Valenza A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.4990280405
Subject(s) - materials science , polycarbonate , extrusion , polymer , ultimate tensile strength , liquid crystal , composite material , polymer blend , copolyester , crystallization , mixing (physics) , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , polyester , copolymer , engineering , physics , optoelectronics , quantum mechanics
The morphology and the thermal and mechanical properties of blends of bisphenol‐A polycarbonate (PC) with a wholly aromatic liquid crystal copolyester‐amide (Vectra‐B of Hoechst‐Celanese) are discussed with reference to the conditions used for their preparation. The blends made by extrusion behave as mixtures of incompatible polymers: the dispersed liquid crystalline phase is more or less oriented in the extrusion direction and acts as a reinforcing filler for the PC matrix. The behaviour of the blends prepared in a batch mixer depends strongly on mixing time. A slight decrease in the mechanical properties (especially tensile strength and elongation) accompanies the morphological changes associated with a progressive improvement in the compatibility of the two polymers, which finally leads to an apparently homogeneous material after 45 min mixing at 290°C and 150 rpm. These effects are interpreted in terms of chemical interactions taking place between the two components of the blends.