Liquid crystal polymer
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| Solid LCP | |
|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | 1.38 to 1.95 |
| Elasticity modulus (E) | 8530 to 17200 MPa |
| Tensile strength (σt) | 52.8 to 185 MPa |
| Tensile Elongation (%) | 0.26 to 6.2 |
| Notched Izod Impact | 21.0 to 82.5 kJ/m2 |
Liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs) are a class of aromatic polyester polymers. They are extremely unreactive and inert, and highly resistant to fire.
Background
Liquid crystallinity in polymers may occur either by dissolving a polymer in a solvent (lyotropic liquid-crystal polymers) or by heating a polymer above its glass or melting transition point (thermotropic liquid-crystal polymers). Liquid-crystal polymers are present in melted/liquid or solid form[1]. In solid form the main example of lyotropic LCPs is the commercial aramid known as Kevlar. Chemical structure of this aramid consists of linearly substituted aromatic rings linked by amide groups. In a similar way, several series of thermotropic LCPs have been commercially produced by several companies (e.g., Vectra).
A high number of LCPs, produced in the 1980s, displayed order in the melt phase analogous to that exhibited by nonpolymeric liquid crystals. Processing of LCPs from liquid-crystal phases (or mesophases) gives rise to fibers and injected materials having high mechanical properties as a consequence of the self-reinforcing properties derived from the macromolecular orientation in the mesophase.
Today, LCPs can be melt-processed on conventional equipment at high speeds with excellent replication of mold details. In fact, the high ease of forming of LCPs is an important competitive advantage against other plastics, as it offsets high raw material cost.[2]
Properties
A unique class of partially crystalline aromatic polyesters based on p-hydroxybenzoic acid and related monomers, liquid-crystal polymers are capable of forming regions of highly ordered structure while in the liquid phase. However, the degree of order is somewhat less than that of a regular solid crystal. Typically LCPs have a high mechanical strength at high temperatures, extreme chemical resistance, inherent flame retardancy, and good weatherability. Liquid-crystal polymers come in a variety of forms from sinterable high temperature to injection moldable compounds. LCP can be welded, though the lines created by welding are a weak point in the resulting product. LCP has a high Z-axis coefficient of thermal expansion.
LCPs are exceptionally inert. They resist stress cracking in the presence of most chemicals at elevated temperatures, including aromatic or halogenated hydrocarbons, strong acids, bases, ketones, and other aggressive industrial substances. Hydrolytic stability in boiling water is excellent. Environments that deteriorate the polymers are high-temperature steam, concentrated sulfuric acid, and boiling caustic materials.
Uses
Because of their various properties, LCPs are useful for electrical[3] and mechanical parts, food containers, and any other applications requiring chemical inertness and high strength. LCP is particularly attractive for microwave frequency electronics due to low relative dielectric constants, low dissipation factors, and commercial availability of laminates. Packaging Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is another area that LCP has recently gained more attention in.
References
- ↑ Callister (2007): "Materials Science and Engineering - An Introduction," 557-558.
- ↑ Charles A. Harper, ed., Modern Plastics Handbook, ISBN 0-07-026714-6, 2000.
- ↑ FCI (2000): "Metral Signal Header 1 Mod, 4 Row Press-Fit", [1], 8 (note 2)
External links
fr:Polymère à cristaux liquides ja:液晶高分子 pl:Polimery ciekłokrystaliczne ru:Жидкокристаллический полимер
