Abstract:
An organic bulk polymer is disclosed having microscopically dispersed therein a liquid crystalline polymer in an amount sufficient to measurably improve the properties of the organic polymer relative to a like bulk polymer in the absence of the liquid crystalline polymer.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 073,038, filed July 14, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,135 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 878,460, filed June 25, 1986 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to organic polymers, particularly organic polymers containing dispersed reinforcing agents. 
     It is well known to reinforce organic polymers with macroscopic fillers such as glass, polyamide, polyester, graphite or similar fibers; particulate fillers such as calcium carbonate, barium sulfate and the like, and other fillers such as sand, and milled or flaked glass. Although these fillers are known to improve the properties of the polymer, they have several drawbacks. One is the amount of such fillers which are needed to obtain good reinforcement. 
     Typically, up to about 60 percent or more of the filled polymer comprises the filler material. It would be highly desirable to obtain good reinforcement at lower levels of filler. Another problem is that many of these filler materials do not strongly adhere to the polymer matrix. Accordingly, the reinforcement is not as great as would be expected. Another problem is that although certain properties such as stiffness and tensile strength are improved by the use of these fillers these improvements are usually accompanied by a substantial decrease in other properties, notably impact strength, fatigue and elongation. 
     The use of fillers is of particular interest in the preparation of polymers from compounds and polymers which contain a plurality of active hydrogen atoms. Principal among these polymers are the polyurethanes and polyureas. In preparing these polymers, it is normally desirable to obtain the best possible physical properties. For example, when a flexible polymeric foam is prepared, it is often desirable to produce a foam which has good load-bearing, resiliency, and tensile properties. 
     The materials most commonly used in preparing polyurethanes and/or polyureas are polyethers and polyesters which contain two or more active hydrogen-containing groups. Although excellent polymers, both cellular and noncellular, are produced therefrom, it is desirable in certain instances to further improve their properties. One known method of improving the properties of polyurethanes made from polyethers or polyesters is to employ a dispersion of polymer particles in a continuous polyether or polyester polyol phase. These so-called polymer polyols or copolymer polyols contain addition polymers, polyurea or polyurethane-urea particles, or other polymers dispersed through the polyol as a plurality of colloidal (10-1000 nm) particles. The dispersed particles have been shown to improve various properties of the resulting cellular polyurethane and/or polyurea, and often perform a cell-opening function in the production of polyurethane and/or polyurea foam. 
     However, even with the use of a polymer polyol, improvement in certain properties of the polyurethane and/or polyurea polymer is desired. In particular, it is desirable to provide a cellular polyurethane and/or polyurea having a high modulus as later defined. Such foams are particularly suitable for automobile or other seating, in which the foam desirably feels soft as one sits on it, yet provides sufficient support for adequate comfort. 
     It would be desirable to provide a reinforced polymer in which good reinforcement is obtained even at relatively low filler levels and in which desirable improvements in physical properties are achieved without major losses in other properties. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is an organic polymer (sometimes referred to herein as a &#34;bulk polymer&#34;) having microscopically dispersed therein a liquid crystalline polymer (sometimes referred to herein as a &#34;filler polymer&#34; or &#34;liquid crystalline polymer&#34;) in an amount sufficient to measurably improve the properties of the organic polymer relative to a like bulk polymer in the absence of the liquid crystalline polymer. 
     In another aspect, this invention is an organic polymer having microscopically dispersed therein a polymer of a monomer having ethylenic unsaturation and an internal grouping represented by the structure ##STR1## wherein each D is independently hydrogen or an inert substituent which, when ortho to the --X-- linkages, can form a cyclic structure with the --X-- linkage and the aromatic rings, b is a number from about 1 to about 10, and --X-- is a covalent bond or rigid linking unit. 
     In another aspect, this invention is an organic polymer having microscopically dispersed therein a polymer of a monomer represented by the structure ##STR2## wherein R represents an inertly substituted radical having polymerizable unsaturation and R 1  represents hydrogen or an inertly substituted organic radical. 
     In another aspect, this invention is an organic polymer having microscopically dispersed therein a polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated steroid derivative. 
     The inclusion of a liquid crystal-containing polymer in the bulk polymer has surprisingly been found to yield significant and unexpected improvements in the physical properties of the bulk polymer. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In this invention, a bulk polymer is reinforced with certain filler polymers containing rigid or liquid crystalline moieties. The bulk polymer may be a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer. Exemplary thermoplastic polymers include the poly(vinyl aromatics) like polystyrene and poly(α-methyl styrene) and copolymers thereof; polyolefins such as low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, very low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, and copolymers thereof; copolymers of polyolefins such as ethylene acrylic acid, ethylene methyl acrylate, ethylene ethyl acrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate and ethylene carbon monoxide copolymers; polyvinylhalides and polyvinylidene halides and copolymers thereof; the so-called engineering thermoplastics including high impact polystyrene, ABS resins and polycarbonates; polyetherether ketones; polyesters, including polyethyleneterephthalate and polybutyleneterephthalate; bismaleimides; thermoplastic polyimides; polyphenylene oxide; polyphenylene sulfide; nitrile resins and the like; polystyrene copolymers such as styrene-acrylonitrile resins; styrene-butadiene resins, ASA resins, styrene/maleic anhydride resins and the like; acetal homopolymers; polysulfones; polyarylsulfones, polyethersulfones; cellulosics such as ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate and cellulose butyrate and the like; the diverse fluoroplastics such as PTFE, FEP and the like; nitril resins; polyamides, including the diverse nylons; poly(phenylene ether) and alloys thereof with styrenic polymers, the diverse acrylic resins; polymethylpentane; polyamide-imide resins; alloys of two or more of the foregoing polymers, and the like, such as are described, for example, on pages 6-100 of Modern Plastics Encyclopedia 1985-1986, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York 1985, incorporated by reference. 
     Exemplary thermosetting polymers include polyurethanes, epoxy resins, thermoset polyesters, and the like. 
     Of the foregoing polymers, the polyolefins, styrenics, engineering thermoplastics, epoxies and polyurethanes are preferred. Polyurethanes are particularly preferred. The preferred polyurethane polymer may be cellular, microcellular or noncellular. In particular, this invention is useful for making flexible polyurethane foams, rigid polyurethane foams, microcellular or noncellular polyurethane elastomers, structural polyurethane polymers, polyurethane films and coatings, and the like. For the purpose of this invention, the term &#34;polyurethane&#34; refers not only to polymers containing a --NCOO-- linkage, but also to other polymers which are based on polyisocyanates, including polyureas, polyurethaneureas, polyisocyanurates, polyurethane-modified polyisocyanurates, and the like. All of these polymers are characterized as being the reaction product of a polyisocyanate with an active hydrogen-containing composition. 
     The liquid crystalline polymer is a polymer which is microscopically dispersable in the organic polymer, and which contains a plurality of pendant liquid crystalline moieties attached to the backbone of the polymer, and/or a backbone containing liquid crystalline moieties. By microscopically dispersible, it is meant that the liquid crystalline polymer is soluble in or is stably dispersable in the bulk polymer as a plurality of particles having an average particle size of about 10-1000 nm. 
     The molecular weight of the liquid crystalline polymer is not especially critical if the liquid crystalline polymer is microscopically dispersible in the bulk polymer, and is sufficiently high that the rigid or liquid crystalline moieties can aggregate to form a reinforcing structure. Reinforcing structures are generally formed in the polymer when the rigid or liquid crystalline moiety has an aspect ratio of at least about 2.25, preferably at least about 2.4. It is also preferable that the molecular weight and composition of the liquid crystalline polymer are chosen together such that the polymer can undergo a phase transition to a mesomorphic state at some temperature below that at which the liquid crystalline polymer and the bulk polymer degrade. Preferably, the dispersed liquid crystalline polymer undergoes such phase transition under condition of temperature and shear such as are encountered in the processing of the polymer to form a shaped article. More preferably, the liquid crystalline polymer undergoes such phase change at a temperature from about 40° to 130° C. 
     One important class of liquid crystalline polymers are addition polymers prepared by homopolymerizing or copolymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer which exhibits liquid crystalline characteristics when in polymerized form. Note that the monomer itself does not have to be liquid crystalline, as long as polymers thereof are mesogenic. Examplary such monomers (hereinafter liquid crystalline monomers) are described, for example, in Blumstein, et al, &#34;Liquid Crystalline Order in Polymers with Mesogenic Side Groups&#34;, Liquid Crystalline Order in Polymers, A. Blumstein, ed., Academic Press, Inc., New York (1978), incorporated herein by reference. Ethylenically unsaturated monomers whih contain substantially linear, rigid groups are useful herein. Such monomers include ethylenically unsaturated biphenyls; cyclohexyl-phenyl compounds; certain conjugated dienes; diverse monomers containing ethylenic unsaturation and an internal grouping having the structure ##STR3## wherein b, X, and D are as described before; ethylenically unsaturated steroids and other monomers such as are described in Tables 1-4, pages 108-120 of Blumstein, supra. Three major types of such liquid crystalline monomers include derivatives of benzoic acid, Schiff base derivatives and steroid derivatives. In addition, various miscellaneous monomers are suitable. 
     Benzoic acid derivatives can be represented by the structure ##STR4## wherein R represents an inertly substituted radical having polymerizable ethylenic unsaturation and R 1  represents hydrogen or an inertly substituted organic radical, preferably devoid of polymerizable ethylenic unsaturation. By &#34;inertly substituted&#34;, it is meant that the moiety referred to has no substituent group, or has substituent groups which do not undesirably affect the mesogenic character thereof. Such benzoic acid derivatives are conveniently prepared by reacting an acid chloride with a p-hydroxy benzoic acid or ester thereof according to the equation: ##STR5## wherein R and R 1  are as defined before. Preferably, R is H 2  C═CH--, H 2  C═C(CH)--, H 2  C═C(CH)CH--, H 2  C═CHCOOCH 2  CH 2  --, H 2  C═C(CH 3 )COOCH 2  CH 2  --, or a similar group. R 1  is preferably lower alkyl or hydrogen and most preferably hydrogen. 
     Suitable Schiff base derivatives comprise two major types, the styrene derivatives and the acryloyl or methacryloyl derivatives. The styrene derivatives ca generally be represented by the structure ##STR6## wherein R 2  is a radical which does not undesirably affect the mesogenic behavior of a polymer of the monomer or the solubility or dispersability of the polymer in an active hydrogen-containing compound or polymer. Exemplary groups R 2  include cyano, halogen, straight chain alkyl ether, alkyl, phenyl, cyclohexyl, --CH═CHCOOR 3 , wherein R 3  is a straight chain alkyl, acetyl, carboxylic acid or ester group, amido group, or the like. 
     The styrene-based Schiff base derivatives are advantageously prepared by reacting p-amino styrene with a p-substituted benzaldehyde according to Equation II ##STR7## wherein R 2  is as defined before. The p-amino styrene itself can be prepared by the reduction of p-nitrostyrene or the dehydration of para-2-hydroxyethyl aniline. 
     The acryloyl or methacryloyl Schiff base derivatives are advantageously prepared by reacting the acid chloride with p-hydroxybenzaldehyde to form the unsaturated aldehyde, and further reacting the aldehyde with a para-substituted aniline, as illustrated by Equation III: ##STR8## wherein R 2  is as defined before, and R 4  is CH 2  ═CH-- or CH 2  ═C(CH 3 )--. 
     Suitable ethylenically unsaturated steroid derivatives include compounds containing polymerizable ethylenic unsaturation and a cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene moiety. Examplary steroid derivatives include derivatives of cholesterol, cholestanol, doristerol, campesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmatserol, ergosterol, cycloartenol and the like which contain ethylenic unsaturation. Suitable steroid compounds which can be easily modified to impart ethylenic unsaturation are described on pp. 108-112 of Kelker and Hatz, Handbook of Liquid Crystals, Verlag Chemie, (1980). Of these, derivatives of cholesterol and cholestanol are preferred on the basis of cost and availability. 
     Suitable ethylenically unsaturated steroid derivatives can be prepared by reacting it with a compound having ethylenic unsaturation and a group which reacts with a hydroxyl group to form a bond to the oxygen atom, such as an unsaturated acid, an unsaturated acid chloride, unsaturated anhydride, unsaturated epoxide or unsaturated isocyanate. Alternatively, an unsaturated ester can be reacted with an ester of the corresponding steroid in a transesterification reaction to provide the unsaturated steroid derivative. Cholesterol and cholestanol derivatives can be represented by the structure 
     
         R--Y--A 
    
     wherein A represents ##STR9## Y represents any linking group, advantageously --COO-- or --N--COO-- and R is as defined before. In such steroid derivatives, R is advantageously CH 2  ═CH--, CH 2  ═C(CH 3 )--, trans-CH 3  CH═CH--, CH 2  ═CH--, CH 2  ═CH--(CH 2 )x-- (wherein x is a number from about 1-10, preferably about 1-4), CH 2  ═C(CH 3 )COO(CH 2 ) 2  --, vinylbenzyl, vinylphenyl and the like, as well as a straight chain mono or poly-unsaturated hydrocarbyl group. Suitable steroid derivatives are described in Table 3, pages 116-117 of Blumstein, supra. Of such steroid derivatives, the cholesterol derivative of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate or other unsaturated isocyanate is preferred due to its ease of manufacture. 
     The liquid crystalline polymer containing pendant mesogenic groups can be prepared by a free-radical polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer as described before. Suitable processes for the free-radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers are well known in the art, and reference is made thereto for the purposes of this invention. The polymerization is conducted under conditions such that the resulting polymer is soluble or dispersible in an active hydrogen-containing compound or polymer. 
     Solution polymerization techniques are particularly suitable for polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer. In such solution polymerization, the monomer is polymerized in the presence of an inert solvent. By &#34;inert&#34; it is meant that the solvent does not react with the monomer, or otherwise undesirably interfere with the polymerization. When a solvent is used, it is advantageously stripped from the liquid crystalline polymer after the polymer is dissolved or dispersed in the active hydrogen-containing compound. Alternatively, the monomer can be polymerized in situ in the active hydrogen-containing compound or polymer to be used in the preparation of polyurethanes. In such in situ polymerization, it is common practice to employ a dispersant to aid in the solubility or dispersability of the liquid crystalline polymer. Particularly suitable dispersants include adducts of the active hydrogen-containing compound and a difunctional compound having an active hydrogen-reactive group and an ethylenically unsaturated group, such as an ethylenically unsaturated isocyanate, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid chloride and the like. Techniques for such in situ polymerization are taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,460,715 and 4,394,491, incorporated by reference. 
     The polymerization is advantageously conducted in the presence of a source of free radicals. Any of the common free radical initiators such as the well-known organic peroxides, peroxyesters and azo compounds are suitable for that purpose. In addition, radiation or other free radical sources can be used. 
     The polymerization is advantageously conducted at a temperature from about -20° C. to about 150° C. The optimum polymerization temperature is, of course, dependent on the particular monomer used, the particular free radical initiator used, if any, and other circumstances which are well known in polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers. 
     In order to control the molecular weight of the polymer, it may be advantageous to adjust the level of initiator used, or to employ a chain transfer agent in the polymerization. Typically, the use of a greater quantity of a free radical initiator or chain transfer agent tends to decrease the molecular weight of the resulting polymer. Thus, a free radical initiator is advantageously employed in an amount from about 0.01 to about 10, preferably about 0.05 to about 5 parts per 100 parts monomer. Suitable chain transfer agents include, for example, mercaptans, carboxylic acids, halogen containing compounds and the like. These and other suitable chain transfer agents are described, for example, in European Patent Publication No. 0091036A2. 
     The liquid crystalline monomer may be homopolymerized or copolymerized with another monomer which may or may not be mesogenic. Any such copolymerization may be a random copolymerization, or a block or graft copolymerization. The sole limitation on such other monomer is that it must be of such composition and present in such an amount such that the polymer is mesomorphic. Typically, the polymer will be mesomorphic when at least about 25, preferably about 35-100, more preferably about 50-100 mole percent of the monomers employed in its preparation are liquid crystalline monomers. 
     Suitable non-mesogenic monomers which are useful comonomers for the liquid crystalline polymer include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,491, incorporated by reference. Of particular interest are the acrylic and methacrylic esters, particularly hydroxyalkyl esters thereof such as hydroxyethylacrylate; the unsaturated nitriles, particularly acrylonitrile; and the vinyl aromatics, particularly styrene. In addition to polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polymers of other types of monomers are useful herein as long as the resulting polymer contains liquid crystalline pendant groups. Of particular interest are polypeptides such as poly(g-benzyl-L-glutamate) as described by DuPre, &#34;Liquid Crystals&#34;, Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3d ed. Vol. 14, pp. 395-427, John Wiley and Sons, New York (1981), incorporated by reference. 
     Main chain liquid crystalline polymers, another useful class of liquid crystalline polymer, contain mesogenic moieties as part of the polymer backbone. Any of such polymers which are soluble or dispersible in the bulk polymer, or can be so dissolved or dispersed by use of a compatibilizer, co-solvent, or other suitable technique, can be used. Exemplary such main chain liquid crystalline polymers include copolymers of, e.g. hydroquinone and terephthaloyl chloride, particularly terpolymers of hydroquinone or aryl-substituted hydroquinones, terephthaloyl chloride and an alkylene oxide, as well as other main chain liquid crystalline polymers such as are described by Blumstein et al, &#34;Structure-Property Relations in Flexible Thermotropic Mesophase Polymers&#34;, Polymeric Liquid Crystals, Blumstein, ed. Plenum Press, New York (1985). 
     In one aspect of this invention, a liquid crystal-containing polyol is reacted with a polyisocyanate to form a polyurethane and/or polyurea polymer. The term &#34;polyol&#34; is used herein to broadly include compounds having a plurality of isocyanate-reactive groups, including hydroxyl, primary or secondary amine, carboxylic acid or mercaptan groups. The liquid crystal-containing polyol can be any material which reacts polyfunctionally with a polyisocyanate, and which contains liquid crystalline (mesogenic) groups. Note that although the liquid crystal-containing polyol contains groups which, when present in small molecules are liquid crystalline, the liquid crystal-containing polyol itself may or may not be mesogenic, although it is preferably mesogenic. Liquid crystalline (mesogenic) groups are moieties which can aggregate to form a nematic, smectic or twisted nematic (cholesteric) ordering. In the liquid crystal-containing polyol, the mesogenic moieties can form part of the backbone of the polyol, or be present as pendant groups. Exemplary such compounds include hydroxyl-terminated polyesters containing an internal grouping as represented by the structure ##STR10## wherein b is as a number from about 1 to 10, preferably from about 1 to about 3, more preferably about 1 to about 2, each D is independently hydrogen or an inert substituent which, when ortho to the ester linkage can form a cyclic structure with the ester linkage and the aromatic rings. Another class of suitable such compounds include mesogen-initiated polyethers. These are advantageously prepared by adding an alkylene oxide to a mesogenic compound having a plurality of hydroxyl, amine or other groups which react with the alkylene oxide in a ring-opening reaction. Propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide derivatives of cellulose or a hydroxyalkylcellulose are examples of mesogen-initiated polyols. Other mesogen-initiated polyols include those initiated with a bisphenol such as represented by the structure, ##STR11## wherein D and b are as described before, and --X-- is a covalent bond or rigid linking unit. Suitable rigid units X include cycloaliphatic radical, a heterocyclic radical, ##STR12## --COO--, --C═C--, --C.tbd.C--, --N═C--, --HCO--, --HCOO--, --N═N-- and the like. The linkage X can also from a cyclic structure with the aromatic rings and the groups D which are ortho to the X linkage. 
     Of particular interest are liquid crystal-containing polyols prepared by reacting an ethylenically unsaturated polyether with an ethylenically unsaturated liquid crystalline monomer and, preferably, a secondary monomer having both ethylenic unsaturation and an isocyanate-reactive group. Suitable ethylenically unsaturated polyethers include hydroxyl-terminated polymers of propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide which are partially or completely capped with a monomer which is reactive with the hydroxyl group of the polyether and which also contains ethylenic unsaturation, such as an ethylenically unsaturated isocyanate or carboxylic acid chloride. Especially suitable ethylenically unsaturated polyethers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,394,491 and 4,513,124. These ethylenically unsaturated polyethers are then reacted with a mixture of the liquid crystalline monomer and the secondary monomer. Especially suitable as the secondary monomer are those such as hydroxylethylmethacrylate, hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxypropylacrylate, and the like. In preparing such liquid crystalline polymers, the liquid crystalline monomer comprises at least about 25, more preferably at least about 35-90, most preferably about 50-80 mole percent of the liquid crystalline and secondary monomers. The relative amounts of monomers and unsaturated polyol are preferably chosen that the resulting liquid crystal-containing polyol is colloidally dispersable, preferably soluble, in additional amounts of a polyether polyol. Liquid crystal-containing polyols prepared in this manner have several particular advantages, such as excellent solubility in polyether polyols. A further advantage is that the use of the secondary monomer creates a polymer having a relatively high functionality, which often improves certain properties of polyurethanes, particular cellular polyurethanes, made therefrom. 
     The liquid crystal-containing polyol may constitute the sole active hydrogen-containing compound used in preparing the polyurethane/and or polyurea, or may be dissolved in, dispersed in or blended with another active hydrogen-containing compound. In either case, it is preferred that the liquid crystalline moieties contained therein constitute about 1 to about 80, preferably about 3 to about 60, more preferably about 3 to about 25 percent by weight of the active hydrogen-containing compound(s). 
     The liquid crystalline polymer is microscopically dispersed in the bulk polymer. By &#34;microscopically dispersible&#34; it is meant that a sufficient amount of the liquid crystalline polymer can be dissolved or dispersed into the bulk polymer to provide property or processing improvement thereto. Typically, such improvement is seen when at least about 1, preferably about 1-80, more preferably about 3-60, parts by weight of a dispersed liquid crystalline polymer are present per 100 parts of the bulk polymer. When the liquid crystalline polymer is dissolved in the bulk polymer, preferably about 1-20, more preferably about 1-10, parts by weight are present per 100 parts of the bulk polymer. 
     The rigid polymer is advantageously formed separately from the formation of the bulk organic polymer and then blended therewith in a separate step. Melt blending, solution blending followed by stripping the solvent(s), and other suitable techniques may be employed. In the preparation of polyurethanes and other thermosetting resins, it is preferred that the rigid polymer be added to the one or more of its precursor materials prior to the reaction thereof to form the thermosetting polymer. In preparing polyurethanes, the rigid polymer is preferably dispersed in the active hydrogen-containing composition which is employed to make the polyurethane. In such case, the rigid polymer may be formed in situ in the active hydrogen-containing composition, or component thereof, or can be separately formed and added to the active hydrogen-containing composition. 
     In making polyurethanes, the active hydrogen-containing compound in which the liquid crystalline polymer is dispersed is selected according to the properties which are desired in a polyurethane and/or polyurea polymer prepared therefrom. It is well known to employ various equivalent weight and functionality active hydrogen-containing compounds to produce polyurethane and/or polyurea polymers having various properties. For example, in the preparation of elastomeric polyurethanes and/or polyureas, relatively high equivalent weight (400-10,000) and low functionality (2-4 functional) active hydrogen-containing compounds are preferred. For making more rigid polyurethanes and/or polyureas, lower equivalent weight (31-1000), higher functionality (2-16 functional) materials are preferred. The selection of proper active hydrogen-containing compounds for use in preparing particular polyurethane and/or polyurea polymers is considered to be a matter of ordinary choice to one skilled in the art. 
     Suitable active hydrogen-containing compounds are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,491, incorporated herein by reference. Preferred such compounds are polyether polyols and the corresponding amine-terminated polyethers; polyester polyols; the so-called polymer polyols, particularly those containing dispersed polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polyurea polymers or polyurethane-polyurea polymers; alkylene glycols and amine-terminated chain extenders as are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,543. Most preferred are polyether polyols having a functionality of about 2-4 and an equivalent weight of about 800-3000, the corresponding amine-terminated polyethers, and copolymer polyols having dispersed polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers prepared from such polyether polyols as well as mixtures of these materials with alkylene glycols and/or amine-terminated chain extenders. It has surprisingly been found that the typical reinforcing effects of copolymer polyols are further increased with the use of a liquid crystal-containing polyol. 
     The liquid crystal-containing polyol or liquid crystal dispersion is formed into a polyurethane and/or polyurea polymer by reaction with a polyisocyanate. Procedures for conducting such reaction are well-known and described, for example, by Ulrich, &#34;Urethane Polymers&#34;, The Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd ed., Vol. 23 pp. 576-608 New York (1983). 
     Either aromatic or aliphatic organic polyisocyanates having an average of at least 2 isocyanate groups per molecule are useful. Such polyisocyanates are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,065,410, 3,401,180, 3,454,606, 3,152,162, 3,492,330, 3,001,973, 3,594,164, and 3,164,605, all incorporated by reference. 
     Aromatic polyisocyanates which are particularly useful herein include 2,4- and/or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethanediisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, polymethylenepolyphenylpolyisocyanates, mixtures thereof and the like. Also useful are polymeric derivatives of diphenylmethanediisocyanate as well as prepolymers or quasi-prepolymers thereof. 
     Particularly useful aliphatic polyisocyanates include, for example, the hydrogenated derivatives of the foregoing aromatic polyisocyanates, as well as hexamethylenediisocyanate, isophoronediisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate and the like. 
     In addition, prepolymers and quasi-prepolymers of the foregoing polyisocyanates having an --NCO content of about 0.5 to about 30% by weight are useful herein. 
     The polyisocyanate is advantageously present in an amount sufficient to provide in the reaction mixture from about 70 to about 500, preferably about 80 to about 150, and more preferably about 95 to about 120 isocyanate groups per 100 active hydrogen-containing groups. Higher amounts of the polyisocyanate can be used when the formation of an isocyanurate-containing polymer is desired. 
     In general, noncellular polyurethane and/or polyurea elastomers (those having an unfilled density of at least about 0.8 g/cc) are prepared by reacting a relatively high equivalent weight active hydrogen-containing compound (preferably 800-3000 molecular weight) and a chain extender compound with a polyisocyanate. The chain extender compound advantageously has an equivalent weight of from about 31-250 and a functionality of about 2-4, preferably about 2. The chain extender is preferably a glycol or a diamine, with C 2  -C 6  alkylene glycols and stearically hindered aromatic diamines being preferred. In preparing noncellular or microcellular elastomers, a conventional casting process, particularly a solventless casting process, or a reaction injection molding process can be employed. Suitable casting techniques are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,703. Reaction injection molding techniques are described, for example, in Sweeney, F. M., Introduction to Reaction Injection Molding, Technomics, Inc., 1979, incorporated by reference. Suitable formulations for use in RIM processes are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,269,945, 4,218,610, 4,297,444, 4,530,941, all incorporated by reference. In these formulations substitution of all or a portion of one or more of the active hydrogen-containing compounds with a liquid crystal-containing polyol or a liquid crystal dispersion having a similar equivalent weight functionality and reactivity is made. 
     In preparing elastomeric polyurethane and/or polyurea polymers, either a one-shot or two-shot (i.e. prepolymer) process can be employed. In the two-shot process, all or most of the relatively high equivalent weight active hydrogen-containing compound is reacted with an excess of a polyisocyanate to form an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer, which is then reacted with the chain extender and any remaining high equivalent weight material. In the one-shot process, most or all of the relatively high equivalent weight material is mixed with the chain extender and the mixture is reacted with the polyisocyanate. However, certain prepolymers and quasi-prepolymers may be employed as the polyisocyanate component even in a one-shot process. Preferably, the polyurethane and/or polyurea polymer in cellular, i.e. has an unfilled density of less than about 0.8 g/cc. More preferably, the polyurethane and/or polyurea is a flexible polyurethane foam. Such flexible polyurethane foam is advantageously prepared by reacting a relatively high equivalent weight liquid crystal-containing polyol or liquid crystal dispersion with a polyisocyanate in the presence of a blowing agent. In preparing flexible polyurethane foams, it is advantageous to also employ a surfactant to stabilize the foaming reaction mass and to compatibilize the various components of the reaction mixture, and to employ various catalysts for both the urethane forming and blowing reactions. In addition, a crosslinker such as diethanolamine is often employed to promote rapid initial curing. 
     In preparing flexible polyurethane foam, the liquid crystal-containing polyol or the major active hydrogen-containing compound(s) in the liquid crystal dispersion advantageously has an equivalent weight of about 800-3000 and an average functionality (defined herein as the number of active hydrogen-containing groups per molecule) from about 2 to about 4, more preferably about 2-3. 
     Suitable blowing agents for preparing foams are well known and include, for example, water, low boiling halogenated alkanes such as methylene chloride, monochlorodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, dichloromonofluoromethane and the like, the so-called &#34;azo&#34; blowing agents, finely divided solids and the like as well as other materials which generate a gas under the conditions of the foaming reaction. Water, the halogenated methanes or mixtures thereof are preferred. When water is used as the blowing agent, about 0.5 to about 10, preferably about 1 to about 5 parts by weight are used per 100 parts of active hydrogen-containing compound(s). The halogenated alkanes are typically used in an amount from about 5 to about 75 parts per 100 parts by weight of active hydrogen-containing compound(s). However, the use of varying amounts of blowing agents to achieve a desired density is well known in the art, and it may in some instances be advantageous to use amount of blowing agents outside of the ranges mentioned before. 
     Suitable surfactants include the diverse silicone surfactants, preferably those which are block copolymers of a polysiloxane and a poly(alkylene oxide). Suitable such surfactants include Y-10184 surfactant, available from Union Carbide Corporation, and the like. Surfactants are used in an amount sufficient to stabilize the foaming reaction mixture against collapse until the foam is cured, and to promote the formation of a somewhat uniform cell structure. Typically, about 0.1 to about 5, preferably about 0.3 to about 3 parts by weight of surfactant are employed per 100 parts of active hydrogen-containing compound(s). 
     Crosslinkers which are commonly employed in preparing flexible polyurethane foams include low equivalent weight alkanolamines such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, propanolamine, dipropanolamine, tripropanolamine, methyldiethanol amine, methyldipropanolamine, and the like. Also useful are the alkylene glycols and low equivalent weight hydroxyl-terminated polyols such as glycerine and trimethylol propane. Such crosslinkers are generally used in minor amounts, preferably about 0.2 to about 10, more preferably about 0.5-5 parts per 100  parts of relatively high equivalent weight active hydrogen-containing compounds. 
     Catalysts for preparing polyurethane and/or polyurea foams include organometallic catalysts and tertiary amine compounds. Of the organometallic catalysts, organotin catalysts are generally preferred. Suitable catalysts are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,081, incorporated herein by reference. When using such catalysts, an amount sufficient to increase the rate of the urethane-forming (and foaming reactions, when a cellular polymer is formed) is used. Typically, about 0.001 to about 0.5 part of an organometallic catalyst is used per 100 parts of active hydrogen-containing compound(s). Tertiary amine-containing compounds are used in amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 3 parts per 100 parts of active hydrogen-containing material. When polyisocyanurate foams are produced, alkali metal compounds are usefully employed as trimerization catalysts. 
     The foam can be prepared in any convenient manner. The foam can be prepared by reacting the components in a closed mold, or by permitting the reacting components to freely rise. Processes for preparing polyurethane foams are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,588, incorporated by reference. 
     In addition to preparing flexible foams and noncellular elastomers, the liquid crystal-containing polyol of this invention is useful in preparing rigid cellular and noncellular polyurethane and/or polyurea polymers. Methods for making such materials are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,579,844 and 4,569,951, incorporated herein by reference. Rigid polyurethane foams are advantageously prepared using active hydrogen-containing compounds having an equivalent weight from about 31-400 and an average functionality of about 3-16, preferably about 3 to about 8. The polyurethane and/or polyurea polymers of this invention are useful, for example, as seating, cushioning, industrial elastomers, automobile fascia and bumpers, thermal insulation and the like. 
     The polymer of this invention is useful in preparing a large variety of molded and shaped articles. 
     The following examples are provided to illustrate the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope thereof. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated. 
    
    
     EXAMPLE 1 
     A. Preparation of unsaturated cholesterolic monomer 
     In a suitable reactor, 78 grams (0.2 mole) of cholesterol are dissolved in 600 milliliters of freshly distilled toluene. To this solution is added 0.3 ml of an organotin catalyst (T-9, sold by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.). While stirring at room temperature, a solution of 32 grams of isocyanatoethylmethacrylate (IEM) in 40 ml of toluene is added drop-wise. after all the IEM solution is added, the temperature is raised to 62° C. for two hours. The resulting monomer crystallizes out on cooling. The crystallized monomer is recovered and dried under vacuum at 100° C. for 24 hours. The resulting monomer, which has a melting point of 159° C., has the following structure: ##STR13## 
     A 2-gram portion of the monomer is dispersed in 20 ml toluene and placed in a 100 ml flask under a nitrogen pad. To this mixture is added 0.04 g (0.02% by weight based on monomer) of azobis(isobutyronitrile). The temperature of the flask is raised to 67° C. for a period of four hours to effect polymerization. The flask is then cooled and the product polymer is precipitated in methanol, filtered and dried. 
     The dried polymer is examined on a Zeiss universal polarizing-light microscope equipped with a Mettler FP-82 hot stage. A phase change is seen at 240° C. above which the polymer appears as a birefringent fluid. A bluish phase characteristic of the cholesteric liquid crystalline state is observed at 257° C. under crossed polars. From this observation, it is concluded that the polymer is liquid crystalline. 
     B. Preparation of Liquid Crystal Dispersion 
     Into a suitable reactor equipped with a nitrogen pad are mixed 23 grams of the monomer from part A and 295 grams of a 1650 equivalent weight ethylene oxide-capped poly(propylene oxide)(Polyol A). After thorough mixing, the temperature of the mixture is raised to 125° C. Separately, 150 grams of an IEM capped polyol is prepared by reacting IEM with Polyol A at a mole ratio of 0.374. Into the capped polyol is dissolved 0.6 gram of azobis(isobutyronitrile). The resulting solution is slowly added to the reactor over a one hour period at a temperature of 125° C. Upon addition of the initiator solution, the reaction mixture becomes milky in appearance. Following complete addition of the initiator solution, the reaction mixture is heated for an additional 4 hours at 125° C. Following this period, the product is vacuum stripped to remove any volatile impurities. The product is a dispersion containing about 5% of the liquid crystalline polymer. 
     C. Molded Foam Prepared from Liquid Crystal Dispersion 
     A molded flexible foam is prepared from the following formulation: 
     
         ______________________________________              Parts byComponent          Weight______________________________________Liquid Crystal Dispersion.sup.1              100Water              3.8Silicone Surfactant.sup.2              1.65Tertiary Amine Catalyst.sup.3              0.24Catalyst A.sup.4   0.12Organotin catalyst B.sup.5              0.0042Diethanol amine    1.7Toluene diisocyanate.sup.6              105 index______________________________________ .sup.1 From Example 1B .sup.2 Y10184 silicone surfactant, sold by Union Carbide Corporation .sup.3 bis(N,N--dimethylaminoethyl)amine .sup.4 A 33 weight percent solution of triethylenediamine in dipropylene glycol .sup.5 Dimethyltindilaurate .sup.6 An 80/20 by weight mixture of the 2,4 and 2,6 isomers 
    
     The mixture exhibits a rise time of 35 seconds and a cure time of 6 minutes. 
     The properties of this foam (designated Foam Sample No. 1) are reported in Table 1, which follows Example 2. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     A molded foam is prepared as described in Example 1-C, except the liquid crystal dispersion is replaced with an equal weight of a conventional copolymer polyol containing 10% by weight dispersed styrene/acrylonitrile (70/30 weight ratio) particles. The properties of this foam (designated Comparative Sample No. A) are reported in Table 1 following. 
     Another molded foam (Sample No. 2) is prepared as described in Example 1-C, except a portion of the liquid crystal dispersion is replaced with a copolymer polyol containing dispersed styrene/acrylonitrile particles (70/30 weight ratio) so that the blended polyols contain 10% by weight dispersed SAN particles and 2.5% by weight dispersed liquid crystalline polymer. The properties of this foam are described in Table 1. 
     Molded foam Sample No. 3 is prepared as described in Example 1-C, except a portion of the liquid crystal-containing polyol is replaced with a copolymer polyol containing dispersed styrene/acrylonitrile particles (70/30) weight ratio) so that the blended polyols contain 10% by weight dispersed SAN particles and 3% by weight dispersed liquid crystalline polymer. The properties of this foam are described in Table 1. 
     As can be seen from the data in Table 1, the use of even very small amounts of a liquid crystalline polymer provides a substantial increase in modulus. 
     
                       TABLE I______________________________________Property     1       A*        2     3______________________________________% LCP.sup.1  5       0         2.5   3.0% CPP solids.sup.2        0       10        10    10Density, lb/ft.sup.3        1.88    1.87      1.93  1.94Tensile Str, psi        17.1    22.8      22.5  22.1Elongation, %        111     107       114   103Tear Str, pli.sup.4        1.59    1.81      1.57  1.90Resiliency, %.sup.5        55      55        53    48Compression Set.sup.6Ct           6.6     6.6       8.0   8.5Cd           12.9    13.1      15.6  16.7ILD.sup.725%          18      22        24    2465%          50      53        65    69ret 25%      15      17        20    18Modulus.sup.8        2.78    2.41      2.71  2.88Air flow.sup.9        4.3     4.8       4.6   4.4______________________________________ *Not an example of this invention .sup.1 LCP is liquid crystalline polymer .sup.2 % styrene/acrylonitrile particles in the polyol blend .sup.3 ASTM 357481 Test E .sup.4 ASTM 357481 Test F .sup.5 ASTM 357481 Test H .sup.6 ASTM 357481 Test D .sup.7 ASTM 357481 Test B. ILD is indentation load deflection. .sup.8 Ratio of 65% ILD to 25% ILD. .sup.9 ASTM 357481 
    
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Molded foam Sample No. 4 is prepared according to the general process described in Example 1-C. The polyols used are a blend of a liquid crystal dispersion and a copolymer polyol. This blend is substituted on a weight for weight basis for the liquid crystal dispersion used in Example 1-C. The liquid crystal polymer, which is prepared as described in Example 1-B, is of lower molecular weight and is therefore soluble in Polyol A. The copolymer polyol is prepared according to the general process described in copending application of Hoffman, Ser. No. 812,435, filed Dec. 23, 1985. The copolymer polyol is prepared by capping Polyol A with 0.161 moles of IEM per mole of polyol, and copolymerizing the capped polyol with a small portion of styrene and acrylonitrile to form a stabilizer compound which is soluble in additional polyol. A solution of the capped polyol in an additional amount of Polyol A is then used as the base polyol in which additional styrene and acrylonitrile are polymerized in a 70/30 weight ratio to form a copolymer polyol having 35% solids. In making the foam, the copolymer polyol and liquid crystal dispersion are blended at ratios such that the blend has an overall content of dispersed SAN particles of 10% by weight, and contains 3.5% by weight of the liquid crystal polymer. The properties of this foam are as indicated in Table 2 following. 
     For comparison, a molded foam is prepared in like manner, except the sole polyol used is the copolymer polyol described with respect to Sample No. 4, diluted with Polyol A to 10% solids by weight. The properties of this foam (designated Comparative Sample B) are as described in Table 2 following. 
     
                       TABLE 2______________________________________Property          B*      4______________________________________% CPP solids.sup.1             0       3.5Density, lb/ft.sup.2             10      10Tensile Str, psi.sup.3             1.91    2.01Elongation, %     20.3    24.3Tear Str, pli.sup.4             102     107Resiliency, %.sup.5             1.85    1.93Compression Set.sup.6Ct                55      52Cd                12.8    14.7ILD.sup.725%               23      2565%               60      71ret 25%           19      20Modulus.sup.8     2.61    2.84Air Flow.sup.9    5.6     4.2______________________________________ *Not an example of this invention .sup.1-9 Same as 1-9 in Table 1. .sup.9 ASTM 357481 
    
     Improved modulus, tensile strength, elongation, ILD and resiliency are seen with the addition of a liquid crystalline polymer. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Molded foam Sample No. 5 is prepared in the same manner as Sample No. 4, except it contains only 2.6% by weight of dissolved liquid crystalline polymer. Its properties are as reported in Table 3 following. 
     As a further check on the beneficial effects of using a liquid crystal dispersion, a parallel experiment is run, substituting a different, non-mesogenic, soluble addition polymer for the liquid crystalline polymer. This polymer is a preformed stabilizer as described with respect to the preparation of the copolymer polyol in Example 2, except the capping level is only 0.06 moles/mole. This preformed stabilizer is present at a 2.6% by weight level. The properties of this molded foam (designated Comparative Sample C) are as reported in Table 3 following. 
     For comparison, the properties of Comparative Foam D, made from a copolymer polyol containing 10% solids prepared by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in Polyol A in the presence of the preformed stabilizer used to prepare Comparative Sample C, are reported in Table 3. 
     The data in Table 3 shows that excellent foam having in particular improved modulus, tensile strength and ILD is prepared according to this invention. The use of the soluble, non-mesogenic polymer does not provide ILD or modulus improvements. 
     
                       TABLE 3______________________________________Property      C*          D*     5______________________________________% LCP.sup.1   0           0      2.6CPP solids.sup.2         0           10     0Density, lb/ft.sup.3         1.91        1.98   2.08Tensile Str, psi         20.9        19.5   25.1Elongation, % 98          91     96Tear Str, pli.sup.4         2.12        1.95   1.40Resiliency, %.sup.5         52          53     52Compression Set.sup.6Ct            5.9         5.0    6.0Cd            11.6        9.7    11.8ILD.sup.725%           26          25     2565%           64          64     71ret 25%       20          20     20Modulus.sup.8 2.46        2.56   2.84Air flow.sup.9         4.8         5.2    2.2______________________________________ *Not an example of this invention .sup.1-9 Same as 1-9 in Table 1. 
    
     EXAMPLE 5 
     A. Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Polymer 
     Into a suitable reactor are placed 65 parts of Polyol A, 119 parts of the IEM-capped polyol described in Example 1-B, and 12.8 parts of a liquid crystalline monomer having the structure ##STR14## which is separately prepared by reacting methacryloyl chloride with the reaction product of phenylisocyanate and para-hydroxy benzoic acid. This mixture is heated to about 140° C. and to it are added at that temperature, over a period of about one hour, a mixture of 119 parts of the IEM-capped polyol and 0.65 grams azobis(isobutyronitrile). Following complete addition of the initiator solution, the reaction mixture is heated at about 140° C. for an additional 4 hours. The resulting product is a solution of a polymer of the liquid crystalline monomer in Polyol A. 
     Six parts of this solution are placed in a reactor along with 14.91 parts of the liquid crystalline monomer and 108 parts of Polyol A. This mixture is heated to a temperature of 140° C., upon which the solid monomer melted. Then, 23 parts of Polyol A in which are dissolved 0.6 part of azobis(isobutyronitrile) and 2.8 parts of the liquid crystalline monomer are added over a period of about 30 minutes at 140° C. Following this addition, the mixture is heated for another 30 minutes and cooled. The resulting product is a dispersion of particles of a liquid crystalline polymer in Polyol A. 
     B. Preparation of Polyurethane Foam 
     A molded, high resiliency foam (Sample No. 6) is prepared using the formulation described in Example 1-C, except the liquid crystalline dispersion is replaced by a mixture of Polyol A, the liquid crystalline dispersion of Example 5-A, and a copolymer polyol as described with respect to Sample No. 4, except the styrene/acrylonitrile ratio is 80/20. The proportions of these components are such that the mixture contains 10% by weight SAN particles and 2.6% by weight liquid crystalline polymer particles. 
     For comparison, a molded foam (Comparative Sample E) is prepared using the same formulation, except that the liquid crystalline dispersion of Example 1-C is replaced with the 10% solids copolymer polyol described with respect to Comparative Sample B. The properties of Sample No. 6 and Comparative Sample E are as reported in Table 4 following. 
     
                       TABLE 4______________________________________Property        E*      Sample No. 6______________________________________% LCP.sup.1     0       2.6CPP solids.sup.2           10      10Density, lb/ft.sup.3           1.87    2.09Tensile Str, psi           22.8    21.3Elongation, %   107     139Tear Str, pli.sup.4           1.81    2.42Resiliency, %.sup.5           55      47Compression Set.sup.6Cd              13.1    20.9ILD.sup.725%             22      2165%             53      64ret 25%         17      16Modulus.sup.8   2.41    3.05Air Flow.sup.9  4.8     5.7______________________________________ *Not an example of this invention .sup.1-9 Same as 1-9 in Table 1 
    
     As can be seen from the data in Table 4, very substantial increase in modulus and 65% ILD is obtained with the presence of a small quantity of liquid crystal polymer in the foam formulation. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Into a suitable reactor are added 789 parts of a mixture of 10% hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC, molar substitution 3.0, molecular weight 60,000) and 90% of an adduct of glycerine and 5.7 moles of ethylene oxide. HPC is known to exhibit a thermotropic liquid crystalline state between 160°-205° C. To this mixture are added 31.6 parts of a 45% aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, and the water is flashed off. The mixture is heated to 120° C., and a mixture of 807 parts ethylene oxide and 5404 parts propylene oxide are added to the reactor at a rate of about 10 grams/minute. Following addition of the oxides, the reaction mixture is digested for 4 hours at 120° C. The resulting liquid crystal-containing polyol is treated with magnesium silicate and filtered. It is a clear solution having an equivalent weight of 1049. 
     A flexible polyurethane foam is prepared by mixing 100 parts of this liquid crystal-containing polyol, 1.5 parts of a silicone surfactant, 0.2 parts of an organometallic catalyst, 0.15 parts of a 33% triethylenediamine solution and toluene diamine at a 105 index, and pouring the mixture into a cup where it is permitted to rise. After the rise is complete, the foam is cured at 250° F. for 30 minutes. A good quality foam is obtained. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     A polycarbonate having a melt flow index of 4.3 is blended at a 95/5 weight ratio with a fully aromatic, liquid crystalline polyester sold commercially as Vectra A-900 by Celanese Corporation and formed into plaques by injection molding. Morphological studies indicate that the plaques have skin regions comprising about 9 weight percent of the sample. In the skin regions, the liquid crystalline polymer is dispersed in the form of short rods having an aspect ration of about 12-32 and a diameter of about 0.3-0.5 micron. The core region shows a particulate morphology with the liquid crystalline polymer dispersed as particles having an average size of about 0.5 micron. The presence of the liquid crystalline polymer increases the flexural modulus and distortion temperature under load values by about 7-10%, compared to the polycarbonate alone. 
     Addition of the liquid crystalline polymer at levels up to about 15% provides improved solvent resistance and hardness.