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Rotationally Molded Liquid Crystalline PolymersRotational molding is a unique process for producing hollow plastic parts. Rotational molding offers low cost tooling and can produce very large parts with complicated shapes. Products made by rotational molding include water tanks with capacities up to 20,000 gallons, truck bed liners, playground equipment, air ducts, Nylon fuel tanks, pipes, toys, stretchers, kayaks, pallets, and many others. Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers are an important class of engineering resins employed in a wide variety of applications. Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers resins are composed of semirigid, nearly linear polymeric chains resulting in an ordered mesomorphic phase between the crystalline solid and the isotropic liquid. Ordering of the rigid rod-like polymers in the melt phase yields microfibrous, self-reinforcing polymer structures with outstanding mechanical and thermal properties. Rotational molding of liquid crystalline polymer resins results in high strength and high temperature hollow structures useful in a variety of applications. Various fillers and reinforcements can potentially be added to improve properties of the hollow structures. This paper focuses on the process and properties of rotationally molded liquid crystalline polymers. This paper will also highlight the interactions between academia and small businesses in developing new products and processes.
Document ID
20030067728
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Rogers, Martin
(Luna Innovations, Inc. Blacksburg, VA, United States)
Scribben, Eric
(Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ. Blacksburg, VA, United States)
Baird, Donald
(Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ. Blacksburg, VA, United States)
Hulcher, Bruce
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 2002
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Composite Materials
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 14, 2003
End Date: July 18, 2003
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-02111
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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