Fibres from polypropylene and liquid-crystal polymer blends using compatibilizing agents: 1. Assessment of functional and non-functional polypropylene—acrylic acid compatibilizers

Abstract

A graft polymer based upon acrylic acid-functionalized polypropylene (PP-AA) and PP-AA itself were assessed as compatibilizers for polypropylene/liquid-crystal polymer (PP/LCP) polyblend fibres. It was found that the functional compatibilizer improved interfacial adhesion and thus fibre properties, depending on the type of hot-drawing process used, as well as significantly enhancing the thermal stability of the fibre. Incorporation of PP—AA increased fibre crystallinity and orientation, with a slight enhancement of fibre properties observed. This was attributed to the promotion of specific polar interactions between the blend components.