# US 5,328,654 A · Orientation of never-dried molecular composite films

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- Number: US 5,328,654 A
- Document ID: US5328654A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 07/956,536
- Filed: 1992-10-05
- Granted: 1994-07-12
- Earliest claimed: 1992-10-05
- Assignees: The Dow Chemical Company
- Inventors: Thuan P. Dixit
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5328654A

## CPC

- B29C 55/005: {characterised by the choice of materials}
- B29K 2079/00: Use of polymers having nitrogen, with or without oxygen or carbon only, in the main chain {, not provided for in groups B29K2061/00 - B29K2077/00}, as moulding material
- B29K 2105/0061: {Gel or sol}
- B29K 2105/0079: {Liquid crystals}
- B29K 2105/0088: {Blends of polymers}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

## Abstract

Improved films that contain molecular composites or block copolymers of lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer and thermoplastic polymer can be made by the steps of: (1) washing a dope film, that contains a solvent and the molecular composite or block copolymer; (2) stretching the wet, never-dried film from Step (1) in at least one direction; and (3) drying the film from Step (2). The films have improved mechanical properties and can be used in structural applications.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process to make an improved film that contains either: (a) a molecular composite of lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer and thermoplastic polymer, or (b) a block copolymer having blocks of lyotropic liquid crystalline polymer and blocks of thermoplastic polymer, said process comprising the steps of:
(1) contacting a dope film, that contains a solvent and the molecular composite or block copolymer, with a washing fluid under conditions such that substantially all of the solvent is removed from the film;
(2) stretching the wet, never-dried film from Step (1) at least 10 percent in at least one direction; and
(3) drying the film from Step (2).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The process of claim 1 wherein the washing fluid is an aqueous washing fluid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The process of claim 2 wherein the film contains at least about 10 weight percent water when it is stretched.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The process of claim 2 wherein the film contains a molecular composite.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The process of claim 2 wherein the film contains a block copolymer.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The process of claim 2 wherein the film is stretched in at least two directions which are about perpendicular to each other.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The process of claim 2 wherein the film is stretched by at least about 50 percent.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The process of claim 2 wherein the film contains at least about 40 weight percent water at the beginning of Step (2).