Vectra® Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP’s) are a family of high-performance plastics based on patented Celanese technology.
They are distinguished from semi-crystalline plastics by their special molecular structure, which consists of rigid rod-like macromolecules that are ordered in the melt phase to form liquid crystal structures.
General info
The characteristic property profile and behaviour of liquid crystal polymers Vectra® are so different from those of other resins, that LCP’s are treated as a separate class of polymer. Even so, they can be processed by all conventional methods used for thermoplastics, including injection moulding, extrusion, co-extrusion, blow moulding etc.
LCP Vectra® offers
Vectra® liquid crystal polymers are highly crystalline, thermotropic (melt-orienting) thermoplastics that can deliver exceptionally precise and stable dimensions, high temperature performance and chemical resistance in very thin-walled applications.
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Exceptional barrier properties
- Low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE)
- High chemical resistance
- Good stiffness
- Very thin walled injection moulding possible
- Attractive surface finish
- Good non-stick effect
- Wide colour versatility
Typical LCP Vectra® applications
The remarkable Vectra® properties have led to the use of Vectra® LCP in many electronic applications such as sockets, bobbins, switches, connectors, chip carriers and sensors.
Portfolio
The Vectra® product line is built around a number of base polymers with different monomer composition. The base polymer differs in their high-temperature resistance, stiffness, toughness and flow properties.
Vectra® glass fibre reinforced grades: Vectra® is available with 15%, 30%, 40% or 50% glass fibre content like Vectra® E130i, an LCP from standard polymer with 30% glass fibre and very good flow ability, or like Vectra® S150, an LCP with the highest heat resistance, 50% glass fibre and very good flow ability.
Vectra® Carbon fibre reinforced grades
These grades give a higher stiffness than with glass fibre filled LCP’s, like Vectra® A230D-3, an LCP filled with 30% carbon fibres.
Vectra® Mineral filled grades
These grades give a high impact strength and elongation at break relative to the glass fibre reinforced grades. In addition they provide an attractive surface finish like Vectra® E540i, an LCP with 40% mineral filler.
Vectra® filler/fibre combination
The PTFE and glass modified grades are used for low-friction and wear resistance applications like Vectra® A435, an LCP with glass fibres and PTFE.
Vectra® graphite filled
Graphite flake provides some added lubricity and exceptionally good hydrolytic stability and chemical resistance like Vectra® A625, an LCP with 25% graphite.
Vectra® Speciality grades
These grades are modified with electrically conductive carbon black which makes them suitable for antistatic applications, like Vectra® A725, an LCP with graphite, PTFE and conductive carbon black.
Other modifications with mineral and/or catalyst are developed for electrodes plating like Vectra® E840i LDS, an LCP with mineral and catalyst filler.
Datasheets
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