GRAFTING OF POLYESTERS BY FREE-RADICAL CHAIN TRANSFER

Graft copolymerizations of polyesters with styrene by free-radical chain transfer reactions were investigated. A model polyester of trans-1,4-cyclohexanediol and sebacoyl dichloride was used as backbone chain. The graft products were characterized. Furthermore, liquid crystalline polyesters with 1,4:3,6-dianhydrosorbitol and 1,4-anhydroerythritol as diol components were synthesized and used in graft copolymerizations with styrene. Polymer blends of tetramethylbisphenol A polycarbonate and the LC-polyester with and without polystyrene grafts were prepared by common precipitation of polymer solutions and their behaviour was examined by torsion pendulum, dynamic-mechanical thermoanalysis and scanning electron microscopy. The grafted polyester turned out to be an efficient phase compatibilizer.