Abstract: The present invention relates to a stretchable polymer consisting essentially of recurring units derived from para-oxybenzoyl, 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl and meta-oxybenzoyl. The invention also relates to a process for stretching a multilayer laminate comprising the steps of providing a multilayer laminate comprising a layer of a thermoplastic and a layer of the stretchable polymer, and stretching the laminate greater than about 100% elongation at a temperature less than about 200° C.

Abstract: Highly stretchable, anisotropic melt-forming polymers consisting essentially of recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid and hydroquinone are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stretchable polymer consisting essentially of recurring units derived from para-oxybenzoyl, 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl and meta-oxybenzoyl. The invention also relates to a process for stretching a multilayer laminate comprising the steps of providing a multilayer laminate comprising a layer of a thermoplastic and a layer of the stretchable polymer, and stretching the laminate greater than about 100% elongation at a temperature less than about 200° C.

Abstract: A stretchable liquid crystal polymer having recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, at least one aromatic diacid and at least one aromatic diol and/or hydroxyamine component, at least a portion of which is 4,4′-biphenol, and one or more aromatic monomers that provide the polymers with selected 1,3-(meta-) linkages. Stretchable polymers are especially suitable for multilayer laminates and bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: Process for producing highly stretchable, amorphous anisotropic melt-forming polymers having recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, at least one aromatic diacid and at least one aromatic diol and/or hydroxyamine component, at least a portion of which is 4,4′-biphenol, which process comprises incorporating into such polymers recurring units derived from one or more aromatic monomers that provide the polymers with selected meta-linkages wherein each of said recurring units is present in the polymer in specific amounts.

Abstract: Process for producing highly stretchable, amorphous anisotropic melt-forming polymers having recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, at least one aromatic diacid and an aromatic diol and/or hydroxyamine component, at least a portion of which is 4,4'-biphenol, which comprises incorporating into such polymers recurring units derived from resorcinol and at least one additional monomer that provides the resulting polymer with selected meta linkages, wherein each of said recurring units is present in the polymer in specified amounts.

Abstract: A potassium catalyst is used in combination with a cobalt catalyst to increase the reaction rate and/or reduce the reaction temperature of a melt polymerization process for producing an anisotropic melt-phase forming polymer derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, aromatic diol, at least a portion of which is resorcinol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, compared to a like process wherein either catalyst is used alone.

Abstract: Multilayer films that include a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer film layer and a poly(ethylene terephthalate) or polycarbonate film layer are bound together using a hot melt adhesive, which may be either (1) a blend of poly(.alpha.-olefins) that includes isotactic polypropylene, a polymer of a second lower poly(.alpha.-olefin), and a small amount of a higher poly(.alpha.-olefin); or (2) a polyamide-based hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: Multilayer films that include a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer film layer and a polyethylene film layer are bound together using one of the following hot melt adhesives: ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a polyolefin blend, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Multilayer films that include a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer film layer and a polypropyene film layer are bound together using hot melt adhesives which may be either (1) a blend of poly(.alpha.-olefins), comprised of isotactic polypropylene, a polymer of a second lower poly(.alpha.-olefin), and a small amount of a higher poly(.alpha.-olefin), or (2) a blend of poly(propylene-graft-maleic anhydride) and a dimer acid based polyamide. These hot melt adhesives also act as compatiblizers for blends of polypropylene and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline polymers that are made from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, terephthalic acid, hydroquinone, and N-acetyl-4-aminophenol by heating the monomers in the presence of acetic anhydride are more easily synthesized in high molecular weight if isophthalic acid is also included as a monomer at a level of about 0.5 mole % to about 10 mole %.

Abstract: This invention discloses novel membranes comprised of a blend of polyarylate and polybenzimidazole polymers. A membrane prepared from the blend of polybenzimidazole and polyarylate polymers exhibits enhanced properties over membranes prepared solely from either a polyarylate or a polybenzimidazole polymer. The addition of the polyarylate to the polybenzimidazole membrane allows the composition to be more thermally processable and less susceptible to moisture. The presence of the polybenzimidazole renders the polyarylate less reactive to solvents and increases its thermal stability. In addition, it has been surprisingly found that membranes prepared from the polybenzimidazole polyarylate blends show high regeneration capacity while retaining good flux ranges. The membranes prepared by this process exhibit good separation characteristics and provide an improved membrane with enhanced qualities over prior art membranes.