Orientation of LCP blown film with rotating dies

Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) have been commercially available for over 10 years, but their use has been limited almost entirely to injection molded parts, totaling only about 7.5 million kg per year. Much larger volume uses of LCP in film, tube, pipe and extruded parts have not been exploited because of uncontrolled orientation in LCP. This paper explains how shear and elongation forces, controlled by rotating extrusion dies, orient LCP film, tube and other extruded parts. Applications to electronic, medical and high barrier packaging markets are discussed.