BLENDING OF MODIFIED POLYPHENYLENE ETHER WITH A LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE COPOLYESTER

Blending of poly (2,6-dimethylphenylene ether) (PPE), polystyrene (PS) and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) was performed using a continuous co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The influence of LCP content on the blending process was studied by changing the barrel heater temperature and the screw speed. The torque of the screw shafts generated during the blending process was influenced by LCP content; its influence was not simple. The generated torque was found to depend not only on the melt viscosity of LCP but also on its distortion temperature. Further, the effects of matrix viscosity on the morphology and mechanical properties of the PPE/PS/LCP blends were studied. Well-developed fine LCP fibrils were formed during the melt-drawing process when the matrix viscosity was high. The formation of well-developed fine fibrils was found to improve the mechanical properties of the PPE/PS/LCP blend. Two mechanisms are proposed for the formation of well-developed fine LCP fibrils.