Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.37, No.2, 252-260, 1997
The Effect of Block Structure of an Ethylene Terephthalate/Hydroxybenzoate Copolymer on Its Ability to from Compatible Blends
A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) containing aliphatic linkages exhibits properties of both a random-coil and a rigid-rod. By varying its block structure, one can change its ability to form compatible blends with other polymers. In this work, the ability of the TLCP p(ET/HBA60) with a high degree of block structure, X-7G(TM), to form compatible blends with polycarbonate and aromatic TLCPs is compared to that of a p(ET/HBA60) with a more random molecular structure, Rodrun(TM) LC-3000. It was found that both materials formed compatible blends through transesterification of the block structure and that a higher degree of blockiness enhanced the rate of transesterification. NMR spectra and differential thermal analysis were used to quantify the degree of transesterification and scanning electron microscopy was utilized to examine the effects of the blending process on the degree of compatibilization and the morphology of the resulting blends.
Keywords:LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE COPOLYESTER;POLYCARBONATE POLY(ETHYLENE-TEREPHTHALATE) BLENDS;TEREPHTHALATE) TRANS-ESTERIFICATION;POLYMER BLENDS;MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES;EXCHANGE-REACTION;PHASE-BEHAVIOR;BISPHENOL;TRANSESTERIFICATION;MORPHOLOGY