Studies on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer/unsaturated polyester/glass fiber in situ hybrid composites

Abstract

AbstractIn situ hybrid composites of thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polymer (TLCP), unsaturated polyester (UP) and glass fiber (GF) have been successfully prepared by melt mixing technology. The mechanical properties and dynamic mechanical properties and the morphologies of these in situ hybrid composites have been studied by static mechanics analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The static mechanical test results showed that the impact strength and the bending strength, bending modulus, specific strength and specific modulus of the in situ hybrid composites tend to increase with the increase of TLCP content for the composites containing TLCP content below 5%. DMA results indicate that the microstructure of curing network, glass transition temperature and obdurability of composites with TLCP content below 5% have been improved. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the interfacial adhesion between matrix and fiber had been improved with the addition of TLCP. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.