Blends of a chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) compound and a thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester: Some rheological behavior and spiral mold flow

Abstract

Abstract Rheological and spiral mold flow measurements were made on blends of a chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) (CPVC) compound and a thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester of p‐hydroxybenzoic acid/poly (ethylene terephthalate) (60/40), hereafter referred to as LCC, at 210°C. Several interesting flow phenomena have been observed. While the shape of the flow curve (i.e., G ′ vs. ω; G ″ vs. ω) of LCC is solidlike, those of the blends are pseudoplastic. The dynamic viscosity of the blends increases as the concentration of LCC increases. However, the shear viscosity of the blends is reduced with LCC and may be described using the relationship of additivity of fluidity. Although the melt elasticity of the blends is increased with the concentration of LCC, the extrudate swell of the blends after extrusion from a capillary is decreased. This phenomenon, however, is complicated. A Theological analysis based on an idealized runner system is used to describe the spiral flow length as a function of the Theological properties of the molten polymers and also the operating conditions. The relative improvement of the spiral flow length of the CPVC compound due to blending with LCC could be correlated with the power‐law fluid model at high shear rates.