Molecular entanglement for rigid rod molecular composites: Poly(p‐phenylene‐2,6‐benzbisthiazole)/poly(hexamethylene adipamide)

Abstract

Abstract The entanglement molecular weight necessary for integrity of processed fiber and film for rigid rod molecular composites is discussed. The case presented is one where the matrix flexible coil polymer has a marginal molecular weight for entanglement. The molecular weight of the rigid rod reinforcement was increased to offset this deficiency. No significant phase separation was observed for solutions undergoing high shear. Steady state shear measurements on rigid rod molecule solutions show that the zero shear viscosity results agree very well with recent theoretical rigid rod molecule behavior predictions.