Two scale reinforcement in hybrid composites based on poly(ether sulfone), glass fiber and liquid crystalline polymer

Poly(ether sulfone) (PES) with 20% glass fibre (gf) composites were modified up to 40% with a liquid crystalline copolyester [Rodrun 5000 (R5)] by injection moulding. Ten percent R5 was enough to counteract the viscosity increase of PES, a consequence of the presence of gf. The more oriented R5 of the skin of the blends with low R5 contents was mainly responsible for the enhancements of the Young's modulus. The decreases in ductility and thus, in tensile strength of the composites at R5 contents of 20% or higher, were not observed in the 90/10 composition, and were attributed to their coarser morphology. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.