Processing and mechanical performance of liquid crystalline polymer/nanofiber monofilaments

Monofilaments of Vectra A950, a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, with 0–10 wt.% of vapor-grown carbon nanofibers were extrusion-mixed and characterized by tensile testing, nanoindentation and fractography. A maximum increase in modulus (35%) and strength (18%) was observed at the 1–2% nanofiber level, and increases were observed with decreasing diameter for all nanofiber concentrations. Incomplete dispersion of nanofiber clumps and microvoiding are thought to be responsible for the observed decrease in property values at the higher nanofiber levels.