Compositions of melt-processable polymers having improved processability

Abstract

A melt-processable composition comprising at least one polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt and at least one other melt-processable polymer characterized in that the temperature range over which the polymer can form an anisotropic melt overlaps the temperature range over which the melt-processable polymer may be melt processed. The melt viscosity of such compositions may be very much less than that of the melt-processable polymer in the absence of the anisotropic melt-forming polymer particularly at high shear rates, corresponding to those encountered during moulding and extrusion operations. On the other hand at low shear rates and particularly when the concentration of anisotropic melt-forming polymer does not exceed 5% by weight increases in melt viscosity are obtainable which are valuable in fabrication processes operated at low shear rate where retention of form stability is required.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.