In recent years, studies by both industry and academic researchers have opened the door to improving performance and reducing costs of these new materials. The particular structure and morphology of LCPs, as well as their peculiar rheological behavior, have stimulated researchers to develop new theoretical models and new characterization and processing techniques to more fully understand and utilize LCPs. Although the scientific literature is very rich in data on the synthetic techniques and on the relations between structure and phase behavior of these new polymers, the understanding of the rheological and processing aspects is still far from satisfactory-particularly in the case of LCP blends. In fact, although an appreciable number of patents and scientific papers have appeared describing the phase behavior, the rheology, and the mechanical properties of many of these polyblends, several aspects of the relations between processing and morphology, and between morphology and properties of these materials are still obscure or even controversial. Now, this new book, written by leading researchers, provides an up-to-date guide and reference to the processing, rheology and applications of pure LCPs and LCP blends. The book concisely reviews the synthetic procedures for the production of LCPs and discusses the rheological behavior and processing methods. Plus, the book examines present and future applications areas of LCPs and LCP blends.

Annotation Liquid crystal polymers are sometimes called super polymers--with good reason. Their wide range of exceptional properties and ease of processing make them design candidates for many demanding applications. This new book provides a thorough review of LCP technology with the emphasis on the chemistry, synthesis and characterization of the material in its many variants. Additional chapters cover processing and applications. From the Editor's Preface The field of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers has grown substantially in the last two decades, with fundamental research, publications, commercial products, and patents. In the 1980's, Dr. Ralph Miano led my colleagues and me at Hoechst Celanese in commercializing the first thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers, based on Dr. Gordon Calundann's composition patents. Today, more than seven companies have produced thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer materials, with at least 50 variants available. Hence, it is timely to compile a comprehensive review on the nature of this type of material and the ongoing progress in this field€. The goals of this book are to summarize previous work, provide new insights into this class of polymers, and add to the understanding of the formation of liquid crystallinity. This book covers a wide range of topics and addresses different disciplines in the field. The chapters are arranged as a learning scheme for the professional, from basic science to applied engineering. The first few chapters summarize the syntheses of various polyester, polyester-amid, and polyimide liquid crystalline polymers. The science and origins of liquid crystal formation are revealed. Next, we introduce the characterizations of these materials by their different chemical and physical aspects. Because most commercially available thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers have been used in the form of composites, we have also incorporated a chapter on polymer blends, detailing blending mechanisms and resultant properties. Two chapters on thermosetting liquid crystalline polymers integrate them with other topics, because of their unique importance and their applications for microelectronics and packaging. The final chapter deals with the engineering and processing aspects of thermoplastic liquid crystalline polymers for a variety of applications.

Liquid crystal polymers are sometimes called super polymers--with good reason. Their wide range of exceptional properties and ease of processing make them design candidates for many demanding applications. This new book provides a thorough review of LCP technology with the emphasis on the chemistry, synthesis and characterization of the material in its many variants. Additional chapters cover processing and applications. From the Editor's Preface The field of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers has grown substantially in the last two decades, with fundamental research, publications, commercial products, and patents. In the 1980's, Dr. Ralph Miano led my colleagues and me at Hoechst Celanese in commercializing the first thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers, based on Dr. Gordon Calundann's composition patents. Today, more than seven companies have produced thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer materials, with at least 50 variants available. Hence, it is timely to compile a comprehensive review on the nature of this type of material and the ongoing progress in this field.... The goals of this book are to summarize previous work, provide new insights into this class of polymers, and add to the understanding of the formation of liquid crystallinity. This book covers a wide range of topics and addresses different disciplines in the field. The chapters are arranged as a learning scheme for the professional, from basic science to applied engineering. The first few chapters summarize the syntheses of various polyester, polyester-amid, and polyimide liquid crystalline polymers. The science and origins of liquid crystal formation are revealed. Next, we introduce the characterizations of these materials by their different chemical and physical aspects. Because most commercially available thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers have been used in the form of composites, we have also incorporated a chapter on polymer blends, detailing blending mechanisms and resultant properties. Two chapters on thermosetting liquid crystalline polymers integrate them with other topics, because of their unique importance and their applications for microelectronics and packaging. The final chapter deals with the engineering and processing aspects of thermoplastic liquid crystalline polymers for a variety of applications.

Polymer blends offer properties not easily obtained through the use of a single polymer, including the ability to withstand high temperatures. High Temperature Polymer Blends outlines the characteristics, developments, and use of high temperature polymer blends. The first chapter introduces high temperature polymer blends, their general principles, and thermodynamics. Further chapters go on to deal with the characterization of high temperature polymer blends for specific uses, such as fuel cells and aerospace applications. The book discusses different types of high temperature polymer blends, including liquid crystal polymers, polysulfones, and polybenzimidazole polymer blends and their commercial applications. High Temperature Polymer Blends provides a key reference for material scientists, polymer scientists, chemists, and plastic engineers, as well as academics in these fields. - Reviews characterization methods and analysis of the thermodynamic properties of high temperature polymer blends - Reviews the use of materials such as liquid crystals as reinforcements as well as applications in such areas as energy and aerospace engineering

Design and Applications of Nanostructured Polymer Blend and Nanocomposite Systems offers readers an intelligent, thorough introduction to the design and applications of this new generation of designer polymers with customized properties. The book assembles and covers, in a unified way, the state-of-the-art developments of this less explored type of material. With a focus on nanostructured polymer blends, the book discusses the science of nanostructure formation and the potential performance benefits of nanostructured polymer blends and composites for applications across many sectors: electronics, coatings, adhesives, energy (photovoltaics), aerospace, automotive, and medical devices (biocompatible polymers). The book also describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties. - Covers all important information for designing and selecting the right nanostructured polymer system - Provides specialized knowledge on self-repairing, nanofibre and nanostructured multiphase materials, as well as evaluation and testing of nanostructured polymer systems - Serves as a reference guide for development of new products in industries ranging from electronics, coatings, and energy, to transport and medical applications - Describes the design, morphology, and structure of nanostructured polymer composites and blends to achieve specific properties

Distinguishing among blends, alloys and other types of combinations, clarifying terminology and presenting data on new processes and materials, this work present up-to-date and effective compounding techniques for polymers. It offers extensive analyses on the challenging questions that surround miscibility, compatibility, dynamic processing, interaction/phase behaviour, and computer simulations for predicting behaviours of polymer mixture and interaction.

This book introduces anisotropic innovations in liquid crystalline polymers as well as new nanocomposite materials and testing techniques. The authors detail the newest discoveries of material properties, material types and phases, and material characterization. This interdisciplinary work creates valuable links that strengthen the approach to the evolving field of liquid crystalline polymers/ materials.

This book summarizes the state ofthe art research presented at the Fourth International Conference on Frontiers of Polymersand Advanced Materialsheld in Cairo, Egypt in January 4-9, 1997. This conference follows the successful conferences held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1995, in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1993 andin New Delhi, India in 1991. These conferences focussed on the most recent and important advances in a wide range of carefully chosen subject areas dealing with advanced materials, their science and technology and new business opportunities resulting from recent technological advances. As its predecessors, the conference held in Cairo was truly international with strong participation of 488 deiegales representing 37 countries from the USA and Egypt, as weil as Europe, South East Asia, Japan, South Africa and the Middle East. The conference was organized by the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, The Arab Society ofMaterials Science and the State University ofNew Y ork at Butfalo. The stated goals ofthe conference were: • To highlight advances and new. findings in the general area of polymers and advanced materials. - • T o foster global collaboration between the USA, Egypt and other nations in the general field of polymers and advanced materials. • To promote the development of scientific ilifrastructure in this field among the different participating countries, especially in the Middle East. • To create a basisforfuture long-term scientific exchanges between the USA and Egypt, and/or other countries.

Fundamental concepts coupled with practical, step-by-step guidance With its emphasis on core principles, this text equips readers with the skills and knowledge to design the many processes needed to safely and successfully manufacture thermoplastic parts. The first half of the text sets forth the general theory and concepts underlying polymer processing, such as the viscoelastic response of polymeric fluids and diffusion and mass transfer. Next, the text explores specific practical aspects of polymer processing, including mixing, extrusion dies, and post-die processing. By addressing a broad range of design issues and methods, the authors demonstrate how to solve most common processing problems. This Second Edition of the highly acclaimed Polymer Processing has been thoroughly updated to reflect current polymer processing issues and practices. New areas of coverage include: Micro-injection molding to produce objects weighing a fraction of a gram, such as miniature gears and biomedical devices New chapter dedicated to the recycling of thermoplastics and the processing of renewable polymers Life-cycle assessment, a systematic method for determining whether recycling is appropriate and which form of recycling is optimal Rheology of polymers containing fibers Chapters feature problem sets, enabling readers to assess and reinforce their knowledge as they progress through the text. There are also special design problems throughout the text that reflect real-world polymer processing issues. A companion website features numerical subroutines as well as guidance for using MATLAB®, IMSL®, and Excel to solve the sample problems from the text. By providing both underlying theory and practical step-by-step guidance, Polymer Processing is recommended for students in chemical, mechanical, materials, and polymer engineering.

Some papers in this book report on the most recent developments in pure liquid crystalline polymers showing that discipline is dynamic and may offer in the future numerous other opportunities not known today. We hope that our selections of papers will be interesting for specialists in polymer chemistry, blends, and their industrial application, and that information included in this book will be stimulating and will favorably impact research currently performed by the readers of this book.