Viscosity changes due to TLCP melt structure development in very low concentration TLCP/HMMPE blends

Claire Whitehouse*, Xue Hong Lu, Ping Gao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to conferenceConference Paperpeer-review

Abstract

A low nematic transition temperature thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP), copolyester of HBA/HQ/SA, acts as a processing aid for high molecular mass high density polyethylene (HMMPE). Even at TLCP concentrations of 0.2, 0.5 and 2 wt%, there is a bulk viscosity reduction >90% at 185°C. The processing window is expanded from a shear rate of 100 s-1 to >1000 s-1. Rheo-optical studies show the melt structure is an important factor in reducing viscosity: biphasic, anisotropic TLCP being best. The mechanism is believed to be the forced alignment of HMMPE molecules in the presence of highly oriented TLCP molecules.

Original languageEnglish
Pages1006-1010
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes
EventProceedings of the 1998 56th Annual Technical Conference, ANTEC. Part 1 (of 3) - Atlanta, GA, USA
Duration: 26 Apr 199830 Apr 1998

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the 1998 56th Annual Technical Conference, ANTEC. Part 1 (of 3)
CityAtlanta, GA, USA
Period26/04/9830/04/98

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