The modulus of shear‐induced fibers from a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in a thermoplastic matrix

Abstract A morphological study was performed to determine the volume fraction and the aspect ratio of shear‐induced fibers from a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) in a polycarbonate (PC) matrix. A set of micromechanical models was then applied to estimate the elastic modulus of LCP fibers (E_ƒ) in a LCP(20 wt%)/PC blend. The dependence of the composite modulus (E_t) of the blend on sample dimensions was predicted. The effects of different injection molding conditions on fiber aspect ratio, E_t and E_ƒ, were examined.