Skip to main content
Log in

Applications of liquid crystal polymers

  • Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Statistical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The science and technology of liquid crystal polymers is selectively reviewed with an emphasis on those aspects key to successful commercial utility. The importance of the low viscosity demonstrated by nematic polymers under commercial processing conditions, coupled with the low volume change on cooling and high thermal stability associated with these nematogens, is identified as the major factor behind the success of the thermotropic copolyester as a high-performance molding resin. The developing area of side-chain liquid crystal polymers as electro-optical media is discussed, stressing the importance of combining function and processibility for ultimate commercial viability. Potential markets and projected commercial growth rates are discussed from the point of view of the enabling science needed to successfully define and implement new commercial applications for liquid crystal polymers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. L. Onsager,Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 51:627 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  2. P. F. Flory,Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 234:73 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  3. P. W. Morgan,Macromolecules 10:1381 (1977); T. I. Bairet al., Macromolecules 10:1396 (1977); M. Panaret al., Macromolecules 10:1401 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  4. C. B. McArdle, ed.,Side Chain Liquid Crystal Polymers (Chapman and Hall, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  5. M. Jaffeet al., inHigh Technology Fibers, Part B, M. Lewin and J. Preston, eds. (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1989).

    Google Scholar 

  6. G. Calundann, inHigh Performance Polymers: Their Origin and Development, R. B. Seymour and G. E. Kirshenbaum, eds. (Elsevier, New York, 1986).

    Google Scholar 

  7. H. Yoon and M. Jaffe,Polymer Preprints (1984).

  8. D. I. Green, G. R. Davies, I. M. Ward, M. H. Alhaj-Mohammed, and S. A. Jaward,Polym. Adv. Technol. 1:41 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  9. L. C. Sawyer and M. Jaffe,J. Mat. Sci. 21:1897 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  10. C. Y.-C. Lee and C. S. Wang,Proc. Polym. Mat. Sci. Eng. 62:81 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  11. J. R. Dole,Chemtech 17:242 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  12. C. E. McChesney and J. R. Dole,Modern Plastics (1988).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jaffe, M. Applications of liquid crystal polymers. J Stat Phys 62, 985–995 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01128172

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01128172

Key words

Navigation