Properties of some rodlike polymers in solution

Abstract

Abstract The properties of poly (1, 4‐phenylene terephthalamide) ( PPTA ), Kevlar, and a poly(benzobisoxazole) ( PBO ) in solution are investigated. Molecular characterization using light scattering and viscometry on dilute solutions shows PBO and PPTA to have a rodlike conformation. Both are prone to interchain aggregation with the tendency for association apparently increasing with the ionic strength of the solvent. Rheological experiments are reported on disordered and ordered concentrated solutions of Kevlar and PBO . The dependence of the viscosity and recoverable compliance on shear rate is discussed and compared with that of flexible‐chain polymers. The dependence of the viscosity and recoverable compliance of PBO solutions on temperature and concentration is discussed.