Rigid chain polymers

Abstract

Abstract The history of rigid chain polymers (i.e., polymers that show mesogenic behavior either in the melt or in solution) is traced from its beginnings to the present. Some correlations between certain mesogenic structures and the physical properties of the corresponding polymers are drawn, particularly as they relate to fibers and to a lesser degree to films and molding resins. Some factors relating to the processing of rod‐like polymers from thermotropic melts and from lyotropic solutions are dealt with, and some end use applications for rigid chain polymers are given.