Liquid-crystal polymer

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Liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs) are a class of aromatic polymers. They are

extremely unreactive and inert, and highly resistant to fire.

Contents

 1Background
 2Properties
 3Uses
 4Trade names
 5References
 6External links

Background[edit]
Molecular structure of Kevlar

Molecular structure of the LCP Vectran [1]

Liquid crystallinity in polymers may occur either by dissolving a polymer in a solvent

(lyotropic liquid-crystal polymers) or by heating a polymer above its glass or melting
transition point (thermotropic liquid-crystal polymers).[2] Liquid-crystal polymers are
present in melted/liquid or solid form. [3] In solid form the main example of lyotropic
LCPs is the commercial aramid known as Kevlar. Chemical structure of this aramid
consists of linearly substituted aromatic rings linked by amide groups. In a similar
way, several series of thermotropic LCPs have been commercially produced by
several companies (e.g., Vectran / Ticona).
A high number of LCPs, produced in the 1980s, displayed order in the melt phase
analogous to that exhibited by nonpolymeric liquid crystals. Processing of LCPs from
liquid-crystal phases (or mesophases) gives rise to fibers and injected materials
having high mechanical properties as a consequence of the self-reinforcing
properties derived from the macromolecular orientation in the mesophase.
Today, LCPs can be melt-processed on conventional equipment at high speeds with
excellent replication of mold details. In fact, the high ease of forming of LCPs is an
important competitive advantage against other plastics, as it offsets high raw
material cost.[4]
The class of polar and bowlic LCPs, with unique properties and important potential
applications, remains to be exploited.[5]

Properties[edit]
A unique class of partially crystalline aromatic polyesters based on p-hydroxybenzoic
acid and related monomers, liquid-crystal polymers are capable of forming regions of
highly ordered structure while in the liquid phase. However, the degree of order is
somewhat less than that of a regular solid crystal. Typically, LCPs have a high
mechanical strength at high temperatures, extreme chemical resistance, inherent
flame retardancy, and good weatherability. Liquid-crystal polymers come in a variety
of forms from sinterable high temperature to injection moldable compounds. LCPs
can be welded, though the lines created by welding are a weak point in the resulting
product. LCPs have a high Z-axis coefficient of thermal expansion.
LCPs are exceptionally inert. They resist stress cracking in the presence of most
chemicals at elevated temperatures, including aromatic or halogenated
hydrocarbons, strong acids, bases, ketones, and other aggressive industrial
substances. Hydrolytic stability in boiling water is excellent. Environments that
deteriorate the polymers are high-temperature steam, concentrated sulfuric acid, and
boiling caustic materials.
Polar and bowlic LCPs are ferroelectrics, with reaction time order-of-magnitudes
smaller than that in conventional LCs and could be used to make ultrafast switches.
Bowlic columnar polymers possess long, hollow tubes; with metal or transition metal
atoms added into the tube, they could potentially form ultrahigh-Tc superconductors.
[6]

Uses[edit]
Because of their various properties, LCPs are useful for electrical [7] and mechanical
parts, food containers, and any other applications requiring chemical inertness and
high strength. LCP is particularly good for microwave frequency electronics due to
low relative dielectric constants, low dissipation factors, and commercial availability
of laminates. Packaging microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is another area
that LCP has recently gained more attention. The superior properties of LCPs make
them especially suitable for automotive ignition system components, heater plug
connectors, lamp sockets, transmission system components, pump components, coil
forms and sunlight sensors and sensors for car safety belts. LCPs are also well-
suited for computer fans, where their high tensile strength and rigidity enable tighter
design tolerances, higher performance, and less noise, albeit at a significantly higher
cost.[8][9]