LIQUID CRYSTAL

ROLL NO.
06
07
08
09
10

POLYMERS

NAME
ADITI DAMLE
MAYURI REWATKAR
KOMAL SHINGADE
MRUNALI MIRASHE
NIKHITA MIRCHANDANI

WHAT ARE LIQUID CRYSTALS?

Liquid crystals can be defined
as,condensed liquid phases with
spontaneous anisotropy.
State of matter that is intermediate
between the solid crystalline & ordinary
liquid phases is known as mesomorphic
state or liquid crystal.
Solid
crystal

Liquid
crystal(turbid)

Clear
liquid

WHAT ARE LIQUID CRYSTAL POLYMERS?

Liquid crystalline polymers or LCPs are a
class of advanced polymers combining
properties of polymers & liquid crystals.
They were discovered in 1984 after
injection moulding came into picture.
LCPs are basically a class of aromatic
polymers which flow maintaining the
crystalline properties.
HOW ARE LCPs FORMED?
They are formed by dissolving a polymer
in a solvent (lyotropically) or by heating a
polymer above Tg or
Tm(thermotropically).
Rod-like or disc-like components called
mesogens must be incorporated into the

main chains of the polymers for making it

LCP.
They by altering the intermolecular
forces induce liquid crystal phase.
These mesogens can be attached directly
to the main chain or to the side chain with
flexible spacers.
The placement of mesogen is very
important in determining the type of LCP
formed ; as type fixes all properties.

TYPES OF LCPs FORMED ARE: NEMATIC:

If rigid sections tend to point along a
preffered direction.
They lack positional & orientational order.
CHOLESTERIC:
If preffered direction of orientation tends
to rotate in form of helix.
Twisted nematic, chiral structure.
SMECTIC:
If rigid sections position themselves in
layers.
Soap like structure.
FACTORS AFFECTING PROPERTIES:The structure of LCP has two parts
1.
Central rigid part & flexible ends.
2.
Polymeric main chain to which
substituents are attached.
3.
Molecular weight.

Rigid part maintains orientation while flexible

part causes to lose positional order.
WHY TO GO FOR LCPs?
LCPs standout the class of polymers due
to its remarkable features stated below.
They are capable of forming regions of
highly ordered,dense structure even in
molten state,however the degree of order
is somewhat less than regular solid
crystals.
This morphology results in very good
properties in direction of flow.

PROPERTIES OF LCPs:1.
High mechanical properties at high
temp.
Microdomain morphology & ability to
orient in direction of flow imparts excellent
mechanical properties at even elevated
temp. Some of them are high strength,

stiffness, high impact strength which is

retained even on cooling, dimensional
stability,
sp. Gravity(1.38-1.95),
thermal stability(2300),
modulus of elasticity(8350-17200 MPa),
tensile strength(52.8-185 MPa),etc.
2.
Optical properties
Selective reflection of circular polarized
light from surface of LCPs pitch,like the
banana shaped achiral molecules gives
screen effect.
When voltage is applied, LCP molecules
darken due to transportstion of charge via
change in direction of orientation.
They also respond to applied magnetic &
electric fields leading to induction of
optical properties.
3.
Inherent flame retardancy
Due to delocalized aromatic backbones &
strong intermolecular attractions,selfreinforcement is provided to M.P.,raising it
& retarding the flame.
4.
Resistance to stress cracking
Stress cracking is resisted in presence of
most chemicals at high temp. including
aromatic & halogenated HCs, strong acids,
bases, ketones,etc. This is due to the large

relaxation time taken by them on

application of stress.It is the time taken to
reorient themselves after stress tends to
disorient them.
5.
Weldability,weatherability,inertness,
6.
Adhesion,Viscosity
DISADAVNTAGES OF LCPs
LCPs can be welded but those lines are
weak points in products.
Highly anisotropic nature.
High value of along +Z axis.
Req. to be dry before processing.
Boiling caustic material,high temp. steam
damage the LCPs.
APPLICATIONS OF LCPs
Because of the above properties, LCPs have
wide range of applications in
1.
High strength fibers
Stiffness of some LCPs competes that of
traditional materials like steel,which
ordinary polymers fail to.Mostly mainchain
LCPs are used.for making fibers.

Eg.Kevlar,Vectran,Spider silk,Zenite
Kevlar is used for
making bullet proof
vests, helmets,etc.

5145,etc.
2.
Optical applications
LCPs demonstrate very low response time
to electric & magnetic fields & due to
optical properties, they are used in
displays where the screen needs to
change frequently.
Twisted nematic PLC makes energyefficient displays.Here laser is used to
selectively melt the portions of display
into LC phase, where by applying field the
orientation is chosen & the configuration is
locked & hardened.
3.
wave frequency electronics
Due to low dissipation factor,availability of
laminates they are used here.
4.
MEMS
5.
Electrical & automotive parts
6.
Food containers & appliances.
Thus LCPs are still a matter of research &
may replace many traditional materials in
coming years.

REFERENCES:1.
Textbook of Engg. Chemistry-Shashi
Chawla
2.
Encyclopedia of Ploymer Science &
technology-website
3.
PLC macromesogens-University of
Birmingham
4.
Advanced polymers-William De
Callister
5.
Textbook of Engg. Chemistry-S.S.Dara