Abstract: A nucleating system for a thermoplastic composition that contains a polyarylene sulfide is provided. The nucleating system includes a combination of an inorganic crystalline compound and an aromatic amide oligomer. The present inventors have discovered that the combination of these different types of nucleating agents result in excellent crystallization properties (e.g., rate of crystallization). Due to the improved crystallization rate, the thermoplastic composition can be molded at lower temperatures to still achieve the same degree of crystallization. In addition to minimizing the energy requirements of the molding operating, the use of lower temperatures can also decrease the production of “flash” normally associated with high temperature molding operations. The composition may also possess good viscosity properties that allow it to be readily molded into parts of a variety of different shapes and sizes.

Abstract: A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer melt polymerized in the presence of a viscosity modifier that can help increase the “low shear” viscosity of the resulting composition is provided. The increased “low shear” viscosity can minimize drooling of the polymer composition during processing and also allow it to possess a greater melt strength, which facilitates its ability to be processed in a wide variety of applications without losing its physical integrity. Despite having a relatively high “low shear” viscosity, the present inventors have discovered that the viscosity modifier does not substantially increase the “high shear” melt viscosity of the polymer composition. In this regard, the ratio of the “low shear” viscosity to the melt viscosity is generally very high, such as within a range of from about 50 to about 1000.

Abstract: A method for forming a high molecular weight liquid crystalline polymer is provided. The method include melt polymerizing two or more precursor monomers (e.g., acetylated or non-acetylated) in the presence of an aromatic amide oligomer. The present inventors have discovered that such an oligomer can lower the melt viscosity of the viscous polymer as it is formed. The ability to lower melt viscosity in situ during melt polymerization enables the formation of high molecular weight polymers that display low melt viscosity and can still be removed from the reactor vessel without solidifying therein. This not only improves the ease of processing, but also allows molecular weights to be reached that are even higher than conventionally practical.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline polymer composition that contains a liquid crystalline polymer and an aromatic amide oligomer is provided. The oligomer can serve as a flow aid by altering intermolecular polymer chain interactions, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear. The oligomer is also not easily volatized or decomposed during compounding, molding, and/or use, which minimizes off-gassing and the formation of blisters that would otherwise impact the final mechanical properties of a part made from the polymer composition. While providing the benefits noted, the aromatic amide oligomer does not generally react with the polymer backbone of the liquid crystalline polymer to any appreciable extent so that the mechanical properties of the polymer are not adversely impacted.

Abstract: A molded part having a predetermined shape is provided. The molded part may be formed by casting a liquid crystalline polymer composition into a mold cavity at a relatively low shear rate. Due to the use of a relatively low shear rate, the polymer composition does not generally undergo extensive shear orientation, which can allow the resulting part to be further processed using standard finishing techniques. The ability to use relatively low shear rates during casting is achieved in the present invention through the use of an aromatic amide oligomer. More particularly, the present inventors have discovered that the aromatic amide oligomer can serve as a flow aid by altering intermolecular polymer chain interactions, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix to “ultralow” levels without having a significant impact on the mechanical properties.

Abstract: An aromatic amide compound having the following general formula (I) is provided: wherein, X1 and X2 are independently C(O)HN or NHC(O); G1, G2 and G3 are independently hydrogen, C(O)HN-phenyl, or NHC(O)-phenyl, wherein at least one of G1, G2 and G3 is C(O)HN-phenyl or NHC(O)-phenyl; Q1, Q2, and Q3 are independently hydrogen, C(O)HN-phenyl, or NHC(O)-phenyl, wherein at least one of Q1, Q2, and Q3 is C(O)HN-phenyl or NHC(O)-phenyl; R5 is halo, haloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl; and m is from 0 to 4.

Abstract: A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer composition capable of exhibiting both a low melting temperature and good heat resistance without the use of conventional naphthenic acids is provided. The melting temperature may, for example, range from about 250° C. to about 400° C. Even at such low melting temperatures, the present inventors have surprisingly discovered that the ratio of the deflection temperature under load (“DTUL”), a measure of short term heat resistance, to the melting temperature may remain relatively high. The specific DTUL values may range from about 200° C. to about 300° C. The ability to form a polymer composition with the properties noted above may be achieved, at least in part, by the use of an aromatic amide oligomer.

Abstract: A melt-extruded substrate that can be readily thermoformed into a shaped, three-dimensional article is provided. The substrate is formed from a polymer composition that contains a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a unique aromatic amide oligomer. The present inventors have discovered that the oligomer can help increase the “low shear” complex viscosity of the resulting polymer. The ability to achieve enhanced low shear viscosity values can lead to polymer compositions with an increased melt strength, which allows the resulting substrate to better maintain its shape during thermoforming without exhibiting a substantial amount of sag. Due to its relatively high degree of melt strength, the polymer composition is particularly well suited for forming thin extruded substrates for use in thermoforming processes.

Abstract: A crosslinkable liquid crystalline polymer that is formed by polymerizing a precursor monomer in the presence of an aromatic crosslinking agent is provided.

Abstract: An aromatic amide compound having the following general formula (I) is provided: wherein, X1 and X2 are independently C(O)HN or NHC(O); G1, G2 and G3 are independently hydrogen, C(O)HN-phenyl, or NHC(O)-phenyl, wherein at least one of G1, G2 and G3 is C(O)HN-phenyl or NHC(O)-phenyl; Q1, Q2, and Q3 are independently hydrogen, C(O)HN-phenyl, or NHC(O)-phenyl, wherein at least one of Q1, Q2, and Q3 is C(O)HN-phenyl or NHC(O)-phenyl; R5 is halo, haloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl; and m is from 0 to 4.

Abstract: A crosslinkable liquid crystalline polymer that is formed by polymerizing a precursor monomer in the presence of an aromatic crosslinking agent is provided.

Abstract: A polymer composition that contains at least one high performance polymer and at least one aromatic amide oligomer is provided. The oligomer can serve as a flow aid that lowers the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear.

Abstract: A fiber formed from a polymer composition that comprises a liquid crystalline polymer and an aromatic amide oligomer is provided. The present inventors have discovered that the oligomer can act as a flow aid for the polymer, which can provide a variety of different benefits. For example, the use of the oligomer during polymerization can lower the melt viscosity of the polymer as it is formed. This enables the formation of high molecular weight polymers that do not solidify within the reactor vessel. The formation of high molecular weight polymers during melt polymerization can, in turn, provide a variety of benefits, such as allowing for higher molecular weight polymers to be formed through additional processing (e.g., solid state polymerization) than conventionally possible, as well as enhancing the melt strength of the polymer composition and thereby aiding in the fiber formation process.

Abstract: An aromatic amide compound having the following general formula (I) is provided: wherein, X1 and X2 are independently C(O)HN or NHC(O); G1, G2 and G3 are independently hydrogen, C(O)HN-phenyl, or NHC(O)-phenyl, wherein at least one of G1, G2 and G3 is C(O)HN-phenyl or NHC(O)-phenyl; Q1, Q2, and Q3 are independently hydrogen, C(O)HN-phenyl, or NHC(O)-phenyl, wherein at least one of Q1, Q2, and Q3 is C(O)HN-phenyl or NHC(O)-phenyl; R5 is halo, haloalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl; and m is from 0 to 4.

Abstract: A prepreg composite that contains a porous substrate impregnated with an aromatic polyester is provided. In addition to possessing a high degree of heat and moisture resistance, the present inventors have also discovered that the nature of the aromatic polyester can be selectively controlled so that it is soluble in a solvent. This allows for the formation of polymer solutions that can be readily employed to impregnate the porous substrate. The nature of the polyester and its relative concentration in the solution can also be tailored to achieve polymers that not only adhere well to the substrate, but also possess good thermal and mechanical properties for use in a wide variety of potential applications.

Abstract: A method for coating a non-metallic substrate with a polymer solution that includes an aromatic polyester and a solvent is provided. By selectively controlling the nature of the aromatic polyester, the present inventors have discovered that such polymer solutions can be readily formed, thereby enabling the use of simpler and less complex techniques (e.g., solvent casting) for coating substrates with aromatic polyesters. Moreover, the nature of the polyester and its relative concentration in the solution can also be tailored to achieve coatings that not only adhere well to the substrate, but also possess good thermal and mechanical properties for use in a wide variety of potential applications.

Abstract: A crosslinkable aromatic polyester that is formed by polymerizing certain precursor monomers in the presence of a biaromatic crosslinking agent is provided. The crosslinkable aromatic polyester can have a relatively high melting temperature. For example, the melting temperature of the crosslinkable polyester may be from about 200° C. to about 370° C. While having a relatively high melting temperature, the crosslinkable polyester can maintain a relatively low melt viscosity so that it can be readily removed from the polymerization reactor without solidifying therein.

Abstract: A crosslinkable liquid crystalline polymer that is formed by polymerizing a precursor monomer in the presence of an aromatic crosslinking agent is provided.

Abstract: An aromatic copoly(ester-sulfone) that contains one or more aromatic ester repeating units and one or more aromatic sulfonyl repeating units is provided. While a wide variety of aromatic ester repeating units may be employed, the polymer is nevertheless “low naphthenic” to the extent that it contains a minimal content of repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids and naphthenic dicarboxylic acids. Despite the absence of a high level of conventional naphthenic acid repeating units, the present inventors have discovered that selective control over the type and relative concentration of the aromatic sulfonyl repeating units can lead to “low naphthenic” polymers that are not only soluble in certain solvents, but also capable of exhibiting good mechanical properties. Thus, the ability of the resulting polymer to be dissolved or dispersed in various solvents can be enhanced without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A crosslinkable liquid crystalline polymer that is formed by polymerizing a precursor monomer in the presence of an aromatic crosslinking agent is provided.