Tailoring transport properties in blends based on olephinic and liquid crystalline polymers

Blends of a metallocene ethylene-1-octene copolymer and a liquid crystalline polymer have been prepared at different compositions in order to attain polymeric materials that exhibit a wide range of permeability depending on composition. Previous to evaluation of transport properties at different temperatures, a complete structural, morphological, thermal and mechanical characterization has been performed using distinct techniques as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis and stress–strain and microhardness measurements.

► A wide range of permeability values is covered by these blends.
► Morphology is strongly dependent on blend composition.
► Crystallinity decreases for high contents of liquid crystalline component.
► The incorporation of the LCP increases significantly the rigidity in these blends.
► A slight nucleant effect is found in the blend with the highest LCP content.