Liquid crystalline polymer compositions, process, and products
AssigneeSRI International
InventorsJames F. Wolfe, Paul D. Sybert, Joanne R. Sybert
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Abstract
Novel compositions comprising a high concentration of one or more extended chain homopolymer, copolymer, or block polymer and certain polyphosphoric acids are prepared. Such compositions are optically anisotropic (liquid crystalline), capable of exhibiting excellent cohesive strength, and are especially suited to the production of high molecular weight ordered polymer fibers by dry-jet wet spinning. These liquid crystalline compositions are capable of being drawn through long air gap distances and spun at exceptionally high spin draw ratios. Fibers, films and other articles formed from these liquid crystalline compositions exhibit exceptionally high physical and heat resistant properties.
Claims121
A novel polymer composition of workable viscosity which is useful as a dope in the production of fibers and films comprising a liquid crystalline polymer solution of polyphosphoric acids containing at least one high molecular weight extended chain polymer having one or more mesogenic group or groups, said extended chain polymer(s) having a molecular weight of at least 10,000 as determined by intrinsic viscosity and being present in sufficient concentration so as to produce a liquid crystalline polymer phase in said solution, with the proviso that when the polymer is poly([benzo-(1,2-d:4,5-d')bisthiazole-2,6-diyl]-1,4-phenylene) that said poly([benzo-(1,2-d:4,5-d')-bisthiazole-2,6-diyl]-1,4-phenylene) polymer concentration be greater than 10 percent by weight based on the total weight of said composition and that the molecular weight of said poly([benzo-(1,2-d:4,5-d') bisthiazole-2,6-diyl]-1,4-phenylene) correspond to an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 12 dL/g as determined in methanesulfonic acid at 30.degree. C.
A novel polymer composition of workable viscosity which is useful as a dope in the production of fibers and films comprising a liquid crystalline polymer solution of polyphosphoric acids and at least one high molecular weight extended chain polymer having one or more mesogenic group or groups, said extended chain polymer(s) being present in sufficient concentration so as to produce a liquid crystalline polymer phase in said solution, with the proviso that when said extended chain polymer is a homopolymer that said homopolymer is other than Poly([benzo-(1,2-d:4,5-d') bisthiazole-2,6-diyl]-1,4-phenylene).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.