Abstract: There are disclosed a para-aramid shaped article having a density of 1.390-1.470/cm.sup.3. The para-aramid has an inherent viscosity .eta.inh of at least 3.5 and contains metal ions of 500 ppm or less, the metal ions being combined with acid end groups linked with the para-aramid molecules. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the same. Due to a reduced rate of moisture sorption, a reduced hygroscopic expansion coefficient and excellent mechanical properties, the para-aramid of the present shaped article is suitable for use for reinforcing fiber materials for a composite material and for a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A polyester having a melt anisotropy, which consists essentially of structural units represented by the following formulae is described. ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen, chlorine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, nitro or cyano, Ar is selected from 1,4-phenylene, chloro-1,4-phenylene, methyl-1,4-phenylene, 4,4'-biphenylene, 3,5,3',5'-tetramethyl-4,4'-biphenylene, 1,4-naphthalene, 1,5-naphthalene, 2,6-naphthalene, dimethyl-1,4-phenylene, trimethyl-1,4-phenylene and oxy-4,4'-diphenylene, and k, l, m and n represent molar fractions of the corresponding units and they satisfy the following requirements: ##EQU1## andk+l.apprxeq.m (3)The polyester is shaped into articles such as fiber and film. The shaped article is prepared by melt shaping the polyester to form a shaped article and then heating the shaped article at a temperature in the range of from a temperature lower by 50.degree. C. than the softening point to the softening point.