Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130119317 | Method for Forming a Liquid Crystalline Thermoplastic Composition - A method for forming a liquid crystalline thermoplastic composition is provided. The method comprises blending at least one thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of fibers within an extruder. The extruder contains at least one rotatable screw received within a barrel (e.g., cylindrical barrel) and defines a feed section and a melting section located downstream from the feed section along the length of the screw. Relatively long fibers are initially supplied to the feed section of the extruder, but at a location downstream from the liquid crystalline polymer so that the polymer is still in a solid state when it initially contacts the fibers. In this manner, the present inventors have discovered that the polymer can act as an abrasive agent for reducing the length of the fibers. | 05-16-2013 |
20130121682 | Compact Camera Module - A thermoplastic composition for use in a compact camera module is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of fibers. The volume average length of the fibers in the thermoplastic composition is selectively controlled according to the present invention so that it is within a certain range, such as from about 80 to about 250 micrometers. The fibers also have a narrow length distribution. That is, at least about 70% by volume of the fibers have a length within a certain range. Through the use of a liquid crystalline polymer and fibers of a certain weight average length and narrow length distribution, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting thermoplastic composition is able to achieve a desirable combination of strength and surface smoothness, which enables it to be uniquely suited for a compact camera module. | 05-16-2013 |
20130122272 | Naphthenic-Rich Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition with Improved Flammability Performance - A thermoplastic composition that comprises a naphthenic-rich, thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer blended with a flow modifier is provided. The flow modifier is an aromatic carboxylic acid that contains or more carboxyl functional groups. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the functional groups can react with the polymer chain to shorten its length and thus reduce melt viscosity. It is also believed that such acids can combine smaller chains of the polymer together after they have been cut during processing. This helps maintain the mechanical properties of the composition even after its melt viscosity has been reduced. As a result of the present invention, the melt viscosity of the thermoplastic composition is generally low enough so that it can readily flow into the cavity of a mold having small dimensions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130122273 | Low Naphthenic Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition - A thermoplastic composition that comprises a low-naphthenic, thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer blended with a flow modifier is provided. The flow modifier is an aromatic carboxylic acid that contains one or more carboxyl functional groups. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the functional groups can react with the polymer chain to shorten its length and thus reduce melt viscosity. It is also believed that such acids can combine smaller chains of the polymer together after they have been cut during processing. This helps maintain the mechanical properties of the composition even after its melt viscosity has been reduced. As a result of the present invention, the melt viscosity of the thermoplastic composition is generally low enough so that it can readily flow into the cavity of a mold having small dimensions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130122274 | Low Naphthenic Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition for Use in Molded Parts with a Small Dimensional Tolerance - A thermoplastic composition that comprises a low-naphthenic, thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer blended with a combination of flow modifiers is provided. More particularly, one of the flow modifiers is a hydroxy-functional compound that contains or more hydroxyl functional groups. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the hydroxyl functional groups can react with the polymer chain to shorten its length and thus reduce melt viscosity. Aromatic dicarboxylic acids are also employed as a flow modifier in the thermoplastic composition. Again, without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that such acids can combine smaller chains of the polymer together after they have been cut by hydroxy-functional compounds. This helps maintain the mechanical properties of the composition even after its melt viscosity has been reduced. | 05-16-2013 |
20130122758 | Fine Pitch Electrical Connector and a Thermoplastic Composition for Use Therein - A thermoplastic composition for use in a fine pitch electrical connector is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains a liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of fibers. The volume average length of the fibers in the thermoplastic composition is selectively controlled according to the present invention so that it is within a certain range, such as from about 80 to about 250 micrometers. The fibers also have a narrow length distribution. That is, at least about 70% by volume of the fibers have a length within a certain range. Through the use of a liquid crystalline polymer and fibers of a certain weight average length and narrow length distribution, the present inventors have discovered that the resulting thermoplastic composition is able to achieve a desirable combination of strength and flowability, which enables it to be uniquely suited for the walls of a fine pitch connector. | 05-16-2013 |
20130123420 | Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition for High Voltage Electronic Components - A liquid crystalline polymer composition having a relatively high comparative tracking index (“CTI”) is provided. The present inventors have discovered that high CTI values can be achieved through the use of inorganic particles in combination with a functional aromatic compound. While not fully understood, it is believed that the functional compound can react with the liquid crystalline polymer and create smaller degraded polymer chains. In combination with the inorganic particles, these smaller chains can potentially form insulated regions at the surface of the polymer that hinder the formation of conductive carbonaceous deposits during the tracking process, which could otherwise lead to failure during testing. | 05-16-2013 |
20140004328 | Ultralow Viscosity Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition | 01-02-2014 |
20140039463 | Adhesion Enhancement Additives for Liquid Crystal Polymer Compositions and Methods Relating Thereto - A liquid crystal polymer composition may comprise a liquid crystal polymer and an adhesion enhancement compound. Such a liquid crystal polymer may be utilized in layered articles, molded articles, and like and products like solar cells, optoelectronic structures, medical equipment, and tubing. Further, ethylene vinyl acetate adhesives may be utilized in some of the layered articles. | 02-06-2014 |
20140087149 | SOLUBLE AROMATIC POLYMER - An aromatic copoly(ester-sulfone) that contains one or more aromatic ester repeating units and one or more aromatic sulfonyl repeating units is provided. While a wide variety of aromatic ester repeating units may be employed, the polymer is nevertheless “low naphthenic” to the extent that it contains a minimal content of repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids and naphthenic dicarboxylic acids. Despite the absence of a high level of conventional naphthenic acid repeating units, the present inventors have discovered that selective control over the type and relative concentration of the aromatic sulfonyl repeating units can lead to “low naphthenic” polymers that are not only soluble in certain solvents, but also capable of exhibiting good mechanical properties. Thus, the ability of the resulting polymer to be dissolved or dispersed in various solvents can be enhanced without sacrificing performance. | 03-27-2014 |
20140087165 | Aromatic Polyester Containing a Biphenyl Chain Disruptor - An aromatic polyester that contains one or more aromatic ester repeating units and one or more biphenyl repeating units is provided. While a wide variety of aromatic ester repeating units may be employed, the polymer is nevertheless “low naphthenic” to the extent that it contains a minimal content of repeating units derived from naphthenic hydroxycarboxylic acids and naphthenic dicarboxylic acids. Despite the absence of a high level of conventional naphthenic acid repeating units, the present inventors have discovered that selective control over the type and relative concentration of the biphenyl repeating units can lead to “low naphthenic” polymers that are not only soluble in certain solvents, but also capable of exhibiting good mechanical properties. Thus, the ability of the resulting polymer to be dissolved or dispersed in various solvents can be enhanced without sacrificing performance. | 03-27-2014 |
20140088285 | Crosslinkable Liquid Crystalline Polymer - A crosslinkable liquid crystalline polymer that is formed by polymerizing a precursor monomer in the presence of an aromatic crosslinking agent is provided. The crosslinking agent has the following general formula (I): | 03-27-2014 |
20140105590 | Antistatic Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition - A liquid crystalline polymer composition having a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation is provided. More particularly, the composition contains an ionic liquid that is distributed within a liquid crystalline polymer matrix. In addition to being electrically conductive, the ionic liquid can exist in liquid form during melt processing, which allows it to be more uniformly blended within the liquid crystalline polymer matrix. This improves electrical connectivity and thereby enhances the ability of the composition to rapidly dissipate static electric charges from its surface. | 04-17-2014 |
20140120282 | Multi-Layered Co-Injection Molded Article - A multi-layered, co-injection molded article is disclosed that includes a barrier layer that is formed from a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and disposed adjacent to a protective layer, which is formed from a base polymer (e.g., olefinic polymer). | 05-01-2014 |
20140134419 | LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYMER COMPOSITION FOR MELT-EXTRUDED SHEETS - A melt-extruded sheet form thermoforming applications is provided. The sheet is formed from a polymer composition containing one or more thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. The specific nature of the polymer or blend of polymers is selectively controlled so that the resulting polymer composition possesses both a low viscosity and high melt strength. | 05-15-2014 |
20140135469 | LIQUID CRYSTALLINE POLYMER COMPOSITION FOR FILMS - A film formed from a polymer composition containing one or more thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers is provided. The specific nature of the polymer or blend of polymers is selectively controlled so that the resulting polymer composition possesses both a low viscosity and high melt strength. The present inventor has discovered that this unique combination of thermal properties results in a composition that is both highly melt processible and stretchable, which allows the resulting film to be oriented to a degree greater than previously thought possible. | 05-15-2014 |
20140151610 | Conductive Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition - A liquid crystalline polymer composition that is thermally and/or electrically conductive and has a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation is provided. More particularly, the composition contains carbon fibers distributed within a liquid crystalline polymer matrix. Through the use of carbon fibers having relatively high purity, high temperature sizing agent, and/or various process parameters, molded parts can be produced having excellent characteristics while minimizing the amount of carbon fibers contained within the polymer matrix. | 06-05-2014 |
20140264183 | Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition - A compact camera module that contains a generally planar base on which is mounted a lens barrel is provided. The base, barrel, or both are molded from a polymer composition that includes a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of mineral fibers (also known as “whisker”). The mineral fibers have a median width of from about 1 to about 35 micrometers and constitute from about 5 wt % to about 60 wt % of the polymer composition. | 09-18-2014 |
20140272226 | Compact Camera Module - A compact camera module that contains a generally planar base on which is mounted a lens barrel is provided. The base, barrel, or both are molded from a polymer composition that includes a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and a plurality of mineral fibers (also known as “whisker”). The mineral fibers have a median width of from about 1 to about 35 micrometers and constitute from about 5 wt % to about 60 wt. % of the polymer composition. | 09-18-2014 |
20140272365 | Antistatic Liquid Crystalline Polymer Composition - A liquid crystalline polymer composition that contains a conductive filler (e.g., carbon fibers, ionic liquid, etc.) and a plurality of mineral fibers distributed within a liquid crystalline polymer matrix is provided. Through careful selection of the conductive filler and mineral fibers, as well as the manner in which they are dispersed within the polymer matrix, the present inventors have discovered that a composition can be formed that has a reduced tendency to create a static electric charge during a molding operation, but yet also has good surface characteristics and mechanical properties. | 09-18-2014 |
20140364562 | High Strength Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Powder - A wholly aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and compositions including the liquid crystalline polymer are described. The polymer composition can include the liquid crystalline polymer and a fibrous filler, e.g., a chopped glass or milled glass fibrous filler. The compositions are capable of exhibiting excellent mechanical properties. The liquid crystalline polymer provides desirable characteristics with the incorporation of little or no naphthenic acids in the polymer backbone. | 12-11-2014 |