• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.217-227
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• 2004

A new thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer(TLCP) containing a triad aromatic ester type mesogenic unit and butylene terephthalate unit(BT) in the main chain was synthesized by polycondensation reaction. The TLCP synthesized showed nematic mesophasic behavior and its transition temperature from solid to mesophase was $260^{\circ}C$. The TLCP/PBT blends were prepared by in-situ polymerization in PBT solution and characterized by differential scanning calorimeter(DSC), thermogavimetric analyzer(TGA), scanning electron microscope(SEM), x-ray diffractometer(XRD), and dynamic mechanical thermal analyze, (DMTA). The blends showed well dispersed TLCP phases with domain sizes $0.05{\sim}0.2{\mu}m$ in the PBT matrix. As the increasing TLCP content from 5 to 20 wt%, ${\Delta}Hm$ values of pure PBT in the blend were increased because TLCP acts as a nucleating agent in the PBT matrix. The mechanical properties of the blends depended on the TLCP contents because the TLCP acted effectively as a reinforcing material in the PBT matrix. The blends showed good interfacial adhesion between the TLCP phase and PBT matrix.The blends prepared by in-situ polymerization showed higher mechanical properties and well dispersed TLCP domains than those of the blends prepared by melt blending.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.244-257
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• 2002

A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer(TLCP) which has flexible butylene/hexylene spacers in the main chain and a triad aromatic ester type mesogenic unit containing a naphthyl group was prepared by solution polycondensation. The in-situ composites based on poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN) and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer(TLCP) were prepared and melt spun at different TLCP contents and different draw ratios to produce monofilaments. Blends of the TLCP with PEN were investigated in terms of thermal, mechanical properties and morphology. The TLCP synthesized showed nematic mesophasic behavior and its transition temperature to isotropic melt from mesophase was 249℃. The blends showed well dispersed TLCP phases in the PEN matrix without macroscopic phase separation. Inclusion of TLCP in the blends decreased the cold crystallization temperature of PEN in the blend, therefore, the TLCP acts as a nucleating agent in the blend and showed good interfacial adhesion between the dispersed LCP phases and PEN matrix with domain sizes 40~50 nm in diameter and well developed fibrillation in the monofilaments. The TLCP acted effectively as a reinforcing material in the PEN matrix at the 10wt% level, it led to an increase of initial modulus up to 270% and tensile strength by 235%, while the elongation rate increasing with higher draw ratios.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.234-243
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• 2023

Zinc crystals of ZnO and SiO₂ in glaze raw materials, developed according to composition and firing requirements, are preferred because of their high decorative properties. However, most zinc crystal glazes have a high firing temperature and a narrow firing temperature range, making it difficult to use them as commercial glazes in ceramics. Therefore, in this study, it was expected that the firing temperature of a typical zinc crystal glaze could be lowered to below 1270℃ by using the eutectic effect through mixing frit, the main raw material used in manufacturing zinc crystal glaze. As a result, not only was the formation temperature of zinc crystals lower in the mixed frit glaze, but also the firing temperature range was widened to 1230~1270℃, making it possible to develop a glaze that produces crystals stably. The firing temperature was lowered to 1230~1250℃ and the holding temperature during cooling was lowered to about 950℃, resulting in the development of an economically effective glaze. When using a combination of frit, it has been shown that the holding temperature during cooling affects the recrystallization of zinc crystals depending on the composition of the glaze, and the crystal structure can be adjusted at this time. Additionally, the amount and shape of crystals can be controlled by using a nucleating agent.