Effect of the amount of oxazoline compatibilizer on the mechanical properties of liquid crystalline polymer/polypropylene blends

Abstract

The effect of the amount of 2,2′-Bis(2-oxazoline) on the spectral, thermal, morphological, and tensile properties of polypropylene (PP)/liquid crystalline polymer (LCP)/maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP-g-MAH) blends was investigated. A wholly aromatic LCP having a low melting point, namely a AL-7000 copolyester was used, because it also uses a compatibilizer with a low decomposition temperature. As the amount of 2,2′-Bis(2-oxazoline) increased, the dispersibility of the LCP improved and the tensile properties were improved, but when it was added in excess, a loss in function was observed. In particular, when 0.5 wt% of 2,2′-Bis(2-oxazoline) were added, the tensile strength and elastic modulus were the highest, and cohesive fracture (fracture within the matrix, not at the PP/LCP interface) was observed in the scanning electron microscope image.