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Abstract

A method for lowering melt viscosity of a liquid crystalline polymer as it is formed in a reactor vessel. More particularly, a reaction mixture is initially supplied to the reactor vessel that contains two or more precursor monomers (e.g., acetylated or non-acetylated). The reaction mixture is heated to an elevated temperature under agitation to initiate formation of the polymer. After a certain period of time, an aromatic amide oligomer is added to the reaction mixture. Among other things, the present inventors have discovered that such an oligomer can serve as a flow aid by altering intermolecular polymer chain interactions, thereby lowering the overall viscosity of the polymer matrix under shear. This minimizes the likelihood of “freeze off” of the polymer within the reactor vessel and limits the impact of process disruptions on the production of the liquid crystalline polymer.

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First Claim