The flexible PEI composites

Abstract The present study investigates the compatibilizing effect of polyphosphazene on the blends of poly(ether imide) (PEI) and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (Vectra‐B). FTIR study showed that there was a partial interaction or chemical reaction between the PEI and LCP in the presence of compatibilizer. Polyphosphazene is compatibilized with both PEI and LCP, which was evident from DMA results. From the X‐ray diffraction study, it has been observed that the crystalline structure of PEI–LCP blends was increased with the addition of compatibilizer. The thermal study of the composites has been studied by DTA/thermo gravimetric analyses (TGA). TGA thermograms showed an increase in decomposition temperature of PEI–LCP blends in the presence of compatibilizer. Measurement of the tensile properties showed an increase in the elongation as well as enhanced modulus and strength. From SEM micrographs of tensile fractured surfaces, the addition of compatibilizer to PEI–LCP blends was found to increase the adhesion between the matrix and the dispersed phase. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:533–538, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers