Processing/property relationships of a thermotropic copolyester: 1. Effect of capillary die aspect ratio

This study investigates the mechanisms involved in the orientation development of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCPs). It demonstrates the complementary effect of extensional flow in the die entrance with that in the spinline on molecular orientation. The tensile properties and microstructure of a thermotropic copolyester of hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxynaphthoic acid are related to changes in the deformation history associated with flow through capillary dies of different aspect ratios. The presence of extensional flow within the convergent die entrance section is shown to be associated with increased tensile modulus, strength, yield stress and orientation (based on tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy and wide-angle X-ray diffraction). Flow in the varied length capillary section permits relaxation of the highly oriented morphology developed in the die entry. Modelling indicates a characteristic average relaxation time of approximately 0.5 s which corresponds to a die length to diameter ratio (L/D) of 37. Samples of differing orientations were prepared with varied die L/D ratios, spinline draw ratios, extrusion temperatures and deformation rates.