Poly(ester-amide) capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, carbocyclic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic monomer capable of forming an amide linkage, and, optionally, additional aromatic diol

Claim 2

A melt processable poly(ester-amide) capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400° C. consisting essentially of recurring moieties I, II, III, IV, and, optionally, V wherein: I is ##STR10## II is ##STR11## III is ##STR12## where A is a divalent carbocyclic radical; IV is --Y--Ar--Z--, where Ar is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, Y is O, NH, or NR, and Z is NH or NR, where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group; and V is --O--Ar'--O--, where Ar' is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, other than naphthylene, wherein at least some of the hydrogen atoms present upon the rings optionally may be replaced by substitution selected from the group consisting of alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen, phenyl, and mixtures thereof, and wherein moiety I is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 20 to 80 mole percent, moiety II is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 30 mole percent, moiety III is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 10 to 40 mole percent, moiety IV is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 30 mole percent, and moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 0 to 20 mole percent, with the total molar concentration of moieties II, IV, and V being substantially equal to the molar concentration of moiety III.

Claim 3

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 350° C.

Claim 4

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 which exhibits an inherent viscosity of at least approximately 1.0 dl./g. when measured at a concentration of 0.1 weight/volume percent in pentafluorophenol at 60° C.

Claim 5

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 3 which exhibits an inherent viscosity of at least approximately 2.0 dl./g. when measured at a concentration of 0.1 weight/volume percent in pentafluorophenol at 60° C.

Claim 6

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 wherein the total molar concentration of moieties II, IV, and V and the molar concentration of moiety III each is substantially equal to one-half of the difference between 100 mole percent and the molar concentration of moiety I.

Claim 7

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 wherein moiety I is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 40 to 60 mole percent.

Claim 8

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 wherein moiety II is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 10 to 25 mole percent.

Claim 9

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 wherein moiety III is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 15 to 30 mole percent.

Claim 10

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 wherein moiety IV is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 15 mole percent.

Claim 11

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 10 wherein moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 0 to 10 mole percent.

Claim 12

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 10 wherein moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 10 mole percent.

Claim 13

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 wherein the divalent carbocyclic radical of moiety III comprises at least one aromatic ring or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene radical.

Claim 14

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 12 wherein the divalent carbocyclic radical of moiety III comprises at least one aromatic ring.

Claim 15

A molding compound comprising the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1 which incorporates approximately 1 to 60 percent by weight of a solid filler and/or reinforcing agent.

Claim 16

A molded article comprising the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1.

Claim 17

A fiber which has been melt spun from the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1.

Claim 18

A film which has been melt extruded from the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 1.

Claim 19

A melt processable poly(ester-amide) capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400° C. consisting essentially of recurring moieties I, II, III, IV, and, optionally V wherein: I is ##STR13## II is ##STR14## III is ##STR15## where A is a divalent carbocyclic radical; IV is --Y--Ar--Z--, where Ar is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, Y is O, NH, or NR, and Z is NH or NR, where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group; and V is --O--Ar'--O--, where Ar' is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, other than naphthylene, wherein at least some of the hydrogen atoms present upon the aromatic rings optionally may be replaced by substitution selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen, phenyl, and mixtures thereof, and wherein moiety I is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 40 to 60 mole percent, moiety II is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 10 to 25 mole percent, moiety III is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 15 to 30 mole percent, moiety IV is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 15 mole percent, and moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 0 to 10 mole percent, with the total molar concentration of moieties II, IV, and V being substantially equal to the molar concentration of moiety III.

Claim 20

A melt processable poly(ester-amide) capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400° C. consisting essentially of recurring moieties I, II, III, IV, and, optionally V wherein: I is ##STR13## II is ##STR14## III is ##STR15## where A is a divalent carbocyclic radical; IV is --Y--Ar--Z--, where Ar is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, Y is O, NH, or NR, and Z is NH or NR, where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group; and V is --O--Ar'--O--, where Ar' is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, other than naphthylene, wherein at least some of the hydrogen atoms present upon the aromatic rings optionally may be replaced by substitution selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen, phenyl, and mixtures thereof, and wherein moiety I is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 40 to 60 mole percent, moiety II is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 10 to 25 mole percent, moiety III is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 15 to 30 mole percent, moiety IV is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 15 mole percent, and moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 0 to 10 mole percent, with the total molar concentration of moieties II, IV, and V being substantially equal to the molar concentration of moiety III.

Claim 21

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 350° C.

Claim 22

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 which exhibits an inherent viscosity of at least approximately 1.0 dl./g. when measured at a concentration of 0.1 weight/volume percent in pentafluorophenol at 60° C.

Claim 23

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 20 which exhibits an inherent viscosity within the range of approximately 3.0 to 8.0 dl./g. when measured at a concentration of 0.1 weight/volume percent of pentafluorophenol at 60° C.

Claim 24

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein the total molar concentration of moieties II, IV, and V and the molar concentration of moiety III each is substantially equal to one-half of the difference between 100 mole percent and the molar concentration of moiety I.

Claim 25

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein moiety I is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 50 to 60 mole percent.

Claim 26

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein moiety II is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 15 to 25 mole percent.

Claim 27

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein moiety III is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 20 to 30 mole percent.

Claim 28

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein moiety IV is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 10 mole percent.

Claim 29

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 10 mole percent.

Claim 30

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein the divalent carbocyclic radical of moiety III comprises at least one aromatic ring or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene radical.

Claim 31

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 wherein the divalent carbocyclic radical of moiety III comprises at least one aromatic ring.

Claim 32

A molding compound comprising the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18 which incorporates approximately 1 to 60 percent by weight of a solid filler and/or reinforcing agent.

Claim 33

A molded article comprising the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18.

Claim 34

A fiber which has been melt spun from the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18.

Claim 35

A film which has been melt extruded from the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 18.

Claim 36

A melt processable poly(ester-amide) capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400° C. consisting essentially of recurring moieties I, II, III, IV, and, optionally, V wherein: I is ##STR16## II is ##STR17## III is ##STR18## where A is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene radical; IV is --Y--Ar--Z--, where Ar is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, Y is O, NH, or NR, and Z is NH or NR, where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group; and V is --O--Ar'--O--, where Ar' is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, other than naphthylene, wherein at least some of the hydrogen atoms present upon the aromatic rings optionally may be replaced by substitution selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen, phenyl, and mixtures thereof, and wherein moiety I is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 50 to 60 mole percent, moiety II is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 15 to 25 mole percent, moiety III is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 20 to 30 mole percent, moiety IV is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 10 mole percent, and moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 0 to 10 mole percent, with the total molar concentration of moieties II, IV, and V being substantially equal to the molar concentration of moiety III.

Claim 37

A melt processable poly(ester-amide) capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400° C. consisting essentially of recurring moieties I, II, III, IV, and, optionally, V wherein: I is ##STR16## II is ##STR17## III is ##STR18## where A is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring or a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene radical; IV is --Y--Ar--Z--, where Ar is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, Y is O, NH, or NR, and Z is NH or NR, where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl group; and V is --O--Ar'--O--, where Ar' is a divalent radical comprising at least one aromatic ring, other than naphthylene, wherein at least some of the hydrogen atoms present upon the aromatic rings optionally may be replaced by substitution selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen, phenyl, and mixtures thereof, and wherein moiety I is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 50 to 60 mole percent, moiety II is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 15 to 25 mole percent, moiety III is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 20 to 30 mole percent, moiety IV is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 10 mole percent, and moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 0 to 10 mole percent, with the total molar concentration of moieties II, IV, and V being substantially equal to the molar concentration of moiety III.

Claim 38

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34 which exhibits an inherent viscosity of at least approximately 1.0 dl./g. when measured at a concentration of 0.1 weight/volume percent in pentafluorophenol at 60° C.

Claim 39

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 35 which exhibits an inherent viscosity within the range of approximately 3.0 to 8.0 dl./g. when measured at a concentration of 0.1 weight/volume percent in pentafluorophenol at 60° C.

Claim 40

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34 wherein moiety V is present in a concentration within the range of approximately 5 to 10 mole percent.

Claim 41

The melt processable (poly(ester-amide) of claim 34 wherein the divalent carbocyclic radical of moiety III comprises at least one aromatic ring.

Claim 42

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34 wherein moiety IV is derived from p-aminophenol or p-phenylenediamine.

Claim 43

The melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34 wherein moiety V is derived from hydroquinone.

Claim 44

A molding compound comprising the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34 which incorporates approximately 1 to 60 percent by weight of a solid filler and/or reinforcing agent.

Claim 45

A molded article comprising the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34.

Claim 46

A fiber which has been melt spun from the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34.

Claim 47

A film which has been melt extruded from the melt processable poly(ester-amide) of claim 34.