Mechanical Properties of Polymer/Liquid Crystal Films Elaborated by Electron Beam and UV Radiation

Abstract

The thermomechanical properties of electron beam (EB) and ultraviolet (UV) cured TPGDA (tripropyleneglycol diacrylate)/liquid crystal (LC) blends were the subject of static and dynamic analysis. In the glassy region of the LC, a very strong temperature dependence on the polymer storage modulus was found for EB-cured networks in the range of compositions 40–60 weight.-% of LC. Above the LC glass transition temperature (T g), the LC behaves like a plasticizing agent. Below T g of the LC, the LC reinforces the polymer. In the case of the UV-cured system, the effect of plasticizing of the LC remains dominant from −100 to +100°C.