Main chain thermotropic liquid crystal esters, ester-imides, and
ester-amides were prepared from AA, BB, and AB type monomeric materials
and end-capped with phenylacetylene, phenylmaleimide, or nadimide
reactive end-groups. The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are
thermotropic and have, preferably, molecular weights in the range of
approximately 1000-15,000 grams per mole. The end-capped liquid crystal
oligomers have broad liquid crystalline melting ranges and exhibit high
melt stability and very low melt viscosities at accessible temperatures.
The end-capped liquid crystal oligomers are stable for up to an hour in
the melt phase. They are highly processable by a variety of melt process
shape forming and blending techniques. Once processed and shaped, the
end-capped liquid crystal oligomers were heated to further polymerize and
form liquid crystalline thermosets (LCT). The fully cured products are
rubbers above their glass transition temperatures.