6533b7d0fe1ef96bd125a24d
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Transmission of mechanical energy through polymeric liquid crystals and their blends
Witold BrostowWitold BrostowTheodore S. DziemianowiczWalter WerberJanusz Romanskisubject
chemistry.chemical_classificationMaterials sciencePolymers and PlasticsScanning electron microscopeGeneral ChemistryPolymerDifferential scanning calorimetrychemistryRheologyLiquid crystalPhase (matter)Polymer chemistryMaterials ChemistryComposite materialMechanical energyPhase inversiondescription
Molecular composites, also called polymeric liquid crystals (PLC), are contrasted with the traditional composites; the name heterogeneous composites is proposed for the latter. Advantages of blending PLCs with ordinary engineering polymers are discussed. Results reported for blends of poly(ethylene terepthalate) (PET) with a PLC containing sequences of PET and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB) include thermophysical properties, melt rheology, mechanical properties of solid blends, and scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces. A model called the island model was developed to explain the results: One assumes that the lines of force as well as propagating cracks tend to concentrate in the phase rich in the more flexible engineering polymer, avoiding the islands rich in the liquid-crystalline phase. This prevails until the phase inversion occurs. Predictions from the model are fully confirmed by the experimental evidence.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-06-01 | Polymer Engineering and Science |