Liquid crystal polymers. I. Preparation and properties of <i>p</i>‐hydroxybenzoic acid copolyesters

Abstract High molecular weight copolyesters were prepared by the acidolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with p ‐acetoxybenzoic acid and polycondensation through the acetate and carboxyl groups. The mechanical properties of the injection‐molded copolyesters containing 40–90 mole‐% p ‐hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB) were highly anisotropic and dependent upon the PHB content, polyester molecular weight, injection‐molding temperature, and specimen thickness. As the injection‐molding temperature increased and the specimen thickness decreased, the tensile strength, stiffness, and Izod impact strength increased when measured along the direction of flow of the polymer melt, and the coefficient of thermal expansion was zero. In some compositions these properties were superior to those of commercial glass fiber reinforced polyesters. Maximum tensile strengths, flexural moduli, notched Izod impact strengths, and minimum melt viscosities were obtained with polyesters containing 60–70 mole‐% PHB. Higher oxygen indicies (39–40) and heat deflection temperatures (150–220°C) were obtained with 80–90 mole‐% PHB.