Abstract The processing by shaping, in particular includes here the moulding, spinning, extrusion, compression and injection moulding of polymers. An electric field thereby influences the flowing polymer melt before and/or during and/or after shaping. The temperature of the melt is maintained at a value between the glass temperature and the isotropic point. Thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymers are used as starting product. Among these are, in principle, all polymers which have mesogenic groups in the main and/or side chain and which can be processed from the liquid-crystalline melt phase. The orientation distribution and thus also the mechanical properties of the end product can be purposefully regulated by the electric field.
A process for the production of mouldings by thermoplastic processing, by shaping, of polymers, particularly by compression, moulding, spinning, extrusion or injection moulding, wherein thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymers are used as a starting product and that an electric magnetic field is allowed to take effect on the flowing polymer melt before and/or during and/or after shaping, the temperature of which polymer melt is maintained at a value between the glass temperature and the isotropic point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process for the production of mouldings by thermoplastic processing, by shaping, of polymers, particularly by compression, moulding, spinning, extrusion or injection moulding, wherein thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymers are used as a starting product and that an electric magnetic field is allowed to take effect on the flowing polymer melt before and/or during and/or after shaping, the temperature of which polymer melt is maintained at a value between the glass temperature and the isotropic point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein direct or alternating electric fields take effect from 10 V/cm up to the polymer-specific breakdown field intensity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claims 1 or 2, wherein those thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymers are used which have mesogenic groups in the main and/or side chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claims 1 or 2, wherein thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyesters are used which contain one or several of the following units: ##STR4## wherein R, R'and R" represent aromatic radicals of the general formula ##STR5##
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claims 1 or 2, wherein during cooling of the moulding, the electric field is maintained until the temperature of the moulding is below the glass temperature of the corresponding material.