Processing and physical properties of ternary in situ composites

Abstract

The ternary blends containing a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) as a reinforcing component were investigated in terms of processing characteristics, mechanical properties, and phase morphology, The ternary LCP blends were advantageous over the binary LCP blends if the third isotropic component could impart a compatibilizing effect to the blend systems. A proper choice of the third component reduced cleavage at the interface in the blends and it was helpful in solving problems associated with phase separation between LCP and matrix phases. In addition, the third component played an auxiliary role in matching the viscosity ratio of LCP to matrix phases during melt blending, and allowed a greater degree of elongational deformation of the LCP domains.