Mechanical performance of LCP/PA6 blends with LCP microspheres

The liquid crystalline polymer/nylon 6 (LCP/PA6) blends with dispersed LCP microspheres were prepared. An ionomer (Zn-SPS) and a reactive copolymer (SMA) were used as compatibilizers to improve the interfacial adhesion. The effects of LCP microspheres on the strength and toughness of LCP/PA6 blends were investigated. The morphological observation of samples after tensile tests shows that the dispersed LCP microspheres are well embedded in the PA6 matrix. The holes deform to some degree after LCP microspheres are pulled out during the fracture of the samples. The mechanical tests show that the addition of LCP decreases the tensile strength of blends due to the poor adhesion between the two phases，while the compatibilizers enhanced the tensile strength. With LCP mass fraction of 10%，the tensile strength of the compatibilized system is similar to that of pure PA6. The tensile energy of compatibilized systems is higher than that of corresponding uncompatibilized systems. With LCP mass fraction of  4%，the tensile fracture energy of Zn-SPS compatibilized system increases by 12% and 62% compared to that of LCP/PA6 and pure PA6，  respectively. With LCP mass fraction of 10%，the tensile energy of SMA compatibilized system increases by 46% and 55% compared to LCP/PA6 and pure PA6，respectively. The results indicate that LCP microspheres can increase the toughness of the blends while kept the tensile strength under proper conditions.