Flow Properties and Morphology of PC/LCP Blends Affected by the Addition of Glass Fiber and Resulted Mutual Influences

Abstract

Abstract In-situ hybrid composites containing matrix polycarbonate, glass fiber and LCP are prepared. The morphology of LCP and the rheological behavior of the composites are described. The relationship between flowability and morphology is discussed. It is interesting to find that in some hybrid systems, composites containing more glass fiber have better flowability than composites containing less glass fiber. Glass fiber aspect ratio is an important factor that determines the flowability. Materials with short glass fiber have lower viscosities than the materials with long glass fiber. LCP morphology is another important parameter that determines the flowability of the composites. If LCP forms fibrils, the composites have better flowability. If spheres dominate the morphology of LCP, the materials have larger viscosity. The addition of glass fiber brings about new factors that influence the morphology of LCP. The LCP morphology is not only affected by LCP content, but also by glass fiber content and glass fiber length. LCP fibrils are promoted in some in-situ hybrid composites. A model is proposed to describe how fibrillation of LCP is promoted due to the addition of glass fiber.