Thermal and rheological properties of blends of polystyrene and thermotropic liquid crystals

Abstract

The rheological and thermal properties of composites of polystyrene (PS) and two liquid crystalline low‐molecular‐weight additives have been studied. Both additives act as plasticizers as evidenced by decreases in the glass transition and the melt viscosity. In addition both are miscible with PS over a broad range of concentrations. Partial phase diagrams of the two systems are presented and discussed.