# Processing of Thermotropic Fully Aromatic Polyesters by Powder Molding Accompanied by Solid-State Post-Polymerization

## TL;DR

This paper explores a new method to manufacture high-strength thermotropic polyesters using powder molding and solid-state post-polymerization.

## Contribution

A novel solid-state post-polymerization method is proposed for processing high-temperature-resistant polyesters.

## Key findings

- The copolymer with TiO2 showed good mechanical and thermal properties.
- Solid-state post-polymerization enabled production of stable, high-strength materials.
- The method is promising for manufacturing high-performance engineering materials.

## Abstract

Thermotropic polyesters are a subject of keen interest due to their exceptional heat resistance, thermal stability, and high strength. However, these thermal characteristics pose significant constraints on standard manufacturing processes, as the melting temperatures of these polymers can exceed 300 °C. This study explored the feasibility of manufacturing final items molded from prepolymers through a solid-state polymerization process. A copolymer composed of 4-acetoxybenzoic acid (4ABA), 3-acetoxybenzoic acid (3ABA), and 4′-acetoxybiphenyl-4-carboxylic acid (ABCA) was synthesized using melt polycondensation. To comprehensively evaluate the performance of the resulting material, several sets of samples were prepared, including those containing TiO2. Experimental samples from the pre-polymers were obtained through injection molding followed by high-temperature solid-state post-polymerization. The final products underwent a range of tests, including rheological and mechanical analyses, as well as thermal evaluations. The products demonstrated sufficient strength and stability. The proposed method of solid-state post-condensation offers significant potential advantages for the practical application of manufacturing high-performance engineering materials.