Internal structure and physical properties of thermotropic liquid crystal polymer/poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) composite fibers

Thermotropic liquid crystal polymer (TLCP)/poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN) composites and their fibers were prepared by using melt compounding and spin-draw process. Thereafter, they were additionally drawn by various drawing methods. As TLCP contents increased, melt flow index was increased and shear viscosity was decreased because TLCP fibril structure of rigid backbones was formed during melt compounding. Molecular orientation and crystalline structure of the TLCP/PEN composite fibers were improved as a function of draw ratio and the heat-laser drawing method gave synergic effects on internal structure of the TLCP/PEN composite fibers. Thermal stability of the TLCP/PEN composite fiber was improved significantly by incorporating small amount of TLCPs. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved