Thermoplastic composition containing nematic oligomer

Claim 1

A thermoplastic composition comprising: (a) a thermoplastic polymer of high molecular weight selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates and polyacetals which has a fusion temperature at a first temperature, has a glass transition temperature and forms an isotropic liquid above the first temperature, and (b) dispersed in said thermoplastic polymer a polyester oligomer having a melting point at a second temperature, said second temperature being not more than 50° C. less than said first temperature nor more than 70° C. more than said first temperature; said oligomer exhibiting nematic behavior between said second temperature and a third temperature, said third temperature being at least 30° C. above said second temperature and at least about 10° C. above said first temperature; said oligomer having a number average length/diameter ratio (L/D) of between 10 and 50, a glass transition temperature at least 10° C. greater than the glass transition temperature of said polymer and a Small's solubility parameter within 2 of the Small's solubility parameter of said polymer; the amount of said oligomer being sufficient to raise the modulus value of the thermoplastic composition to at least 110% of the corresponding value of the polymer at the glass transition temperature of said polymer.