Liquid crystal polyester composition, molded article, and method for producing molded article

Abstract

This liquid crystal polyester composition comprises a liquid crystal polyester, an inorganic filler containing a hollow glass filler, and a styrene-based resin.

Description

Liquid crystal polyester composition, molded article, and method for producing molded article

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal polyester composition, a molded article, and a method for producing the molded article.

[0002] Molded articles containing liquid crystalline polyesters are used in various fields, particularly in electrical and electronic component applications, and various compositions according to the required properties of the molded articles have been studied. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a composition containing a liquid crystalline polyester and hollow spheres as a composition for reducing the weight of molded articles.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-323705

[0004] In recent years, regrind, which involves reusing offcuts of injection molding products such as runners and sprues, has been attracting attention as a way to reduce the burden on the environment.

[0005] The composition described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in that a large amount of fine powder is generated when milling mill waste containing the composition, resulting in a large loss of material during regrind.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid crystalline polyester composition capable of forming a molded article having high fluidity, a low dielectric constant, and little scattering of fine powder upon breakage, and a molded article containing the composition. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing the molded article.

[0007] The present disclosure provides, for example, the following. [1] A liquid crystal polyester composition comprising a liquid crystal polyester, an inorganic filler containing a hollow glass filler, and a styrene-based resin. [2] The liquid crystal polyester composition according to [1], wherein the styrene-based resin is polystyrene. [3] The liquid crystal polyester composition according to [1] or [2], wherein the content of the hollow glass filler is 5 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. [4] The liquid crystal polyester composition according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the content of the styrene-based resin is 5 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. [5] The content C of the inorganic filler １The content C of the styrene-based resin relative to ２ The ratio (C ２ / C １ The liquid crystal polyester composition according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the ratio of the hollow glass filler to the inorganic filler is 50% by mass to 90% by mass. [9] A molded article comprising the liquid crystal polyester composition according to any one of [1] to [8].

[10] A method for producing a molded article, comprising a step of molding the liquid crystal polyester composition according to any one of [1] to [8] to obtain a molded article.

[11] The production method according to

[10] , wherein the molding is injection molding.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, there are provided a liquid crystalline polyester composition capable of forming a molded article having high fluidity, a low dielectric constant, and little scattering of fine powder upon breakage, and a molded article containing the composition. Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for producing the molded article.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mold for measuring the thin-wall flow length.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0011] The liquid crystal polyester composition of this embodiment (hereinafter also simply referred to as "liquid crystal polyester composition" or "composition") contains a liquid crystal polyester, an inorganic filler containing a hollow glass filler, and a styrene-based resin.

[0012] The liquid crystal polyester composition of the present embodiment has high fluidity and a low dielectric constant. Furthermore, a molded article formed from the liquid crystal polyester composition of the present embodiment generates little fine powder when crushed, and therefore has little loss during regrind.

[0013] In this embodiment, it is believed that the incorporation of the hollow glass filler reduces the dielectric constant of the composition. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is believed that the incorporation of the styrene-based resin, which has superior toughness compared to the liquid crystal polyester, reduces the impact on the molded product during crushing and suppresses the scattering of fine powder. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is believed that the incorporation of the styrene-based resin improves the wettability between the liquid crystal polyester and the hollow glass filler, thereby improving the fluidity during melting.

[0014] The liquid crystal polyester may be any polyester that exhibits liquid crystallinity in a molten state. The liquid crystal polyester composition may contain only one type of liquid crystal polyester, or may contain two or more types of liquid crystal polyester.

[0015] The liquid crystal polyester has constituent units (also referred to as monomer units) derived from raw material monomers. The liquid crystal polyester may have a main monomer unit (for example, 90 mol% or more, 95 mol% or more, or 99 mol% or more of the monomer units relative to the total of all monomer units, preferably all monomer units) derived from an aromatic compound. A liquid crystal polyester in which all monomer units are derived from an aromatic compound is also referred to as a wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester.

[0016] The aromatic compound is a compound having an aromatic ring. The aromatic compound suitable as a raw material monomer may have an aromatic ring and two or more polymerizable groups (e.g., hydroxy groups, amino groups, or carboxy groups, preferably hydroxy groups or carboxy groups) bonded to the aromatic ring.

[0017] The aromatic compound may be, for example, a compound represented by the following formula (1-1) (hereinafter also referred to as aromatic compound (1-1)), a compound represented by the following formula (1-2) (hereinafter also referred to as aromatic compound (1-2)), or a compound represented by the following formula (1-3) (hereinafter also referred to as aromatic compound (1-3)). X １ -Ar １ -Y １ (1-1) X ２ -Ar ２ -X ３ (1-2) Y ２ -Ar ３ -Y３ (1-3) [wherein, Ar １ , Ar ２ and Ar ３ each independently represents a phenylene group, a biphenylylene group, a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group, or a group represented by formula (Z-1). １ , Ar ２ and Ar ３ Some or all of the hydrogen atoms of X may be substituted with halogen atoms, alkyl groups or aryl groups. １ , X ２ and X ３ each independently represents a hydroxy group or an amino group. １ , Y ２ and Y ３ represents a carboxy group. ４ -Z １ -Ar ５ - (Z-1) [wherein, Ar ４ and Ar ５ each independently represents a phenylene group or a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group. １ represents an oxygen atom (-O-), a sulfur atom (-S-), a carbonyl group (-CO-), a sulfonyl group (-SO ２ -) or an alkanediyl group.]

[0018] The monomer unit derived from an aromatic compound may be, for example, a monomer unit represented by the following formula (2-1) (hereinafter also referred to as monomer unit (2-1)), a structural unit represented by the following formula (2-2) (hereinafter also referred to as monomer unit (2-2)), or a structural unit represented by the following formula (2-3) (hereinafter also referred to as monomer unit (2-3)). It can be said that the monomer unit (2-1) is a monomer unit derived from an aromatic compound (1-1), the monomer unit (2-2) is a monomer unit derived from an aromatic compound (1-2), and the monomer unit (2-3) is a monomer unit derived from an aromatic compound (1-3). -X １１ -Ar １ -Y １１ - (2-1) -X １２ -Ar ２ -X １３ - (2-2) -Y １２ -Ar３ -Y １３ - (2-3) [wherein, Ar １ , Ar ２ and Ar ３ has the same meaning as above. １１ , X １２ and X １３ each independently represents an oxygen atom (—O—) or an imino group (—NH—). １１ , Y １２ and Y １３ represents a carbonyl group (—CO—).

[0019] The phenylene group may be, for example, a 1,4-phenylene group or a 1,3-phenylene group, and is preferably a 1,4-phenylene group.

[0020] The biphenylylene group may be, for example, a 4,4'-biphenylylene group.

[0021] The condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group is a group in which two hydrogen atoms have been removed from a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Examples of the condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon include naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, tetracene, pyrene, triphenylene, perylene, and fluorene. Among these, naphthalene is preferred from the viewpoints of availability and cost.

[0022] The condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group may be a naphthylene group, for example, a 2,6-naphthylene group or a 2,7-naphthylene group, preferably a 2,6-naphthylene group.

[0023] Examples of the halogen atom as a substituent include a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, and an iodine atom.

[0024] The alkyl group as a substituent may be linear, branched, or cyclic. The alkyl group may be, for example, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of the alkyl group include a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, an s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-hexyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, an n-octyl group, and an n-decyl group.

[0025] The aryl group as a substituent may be a monocyclic ring or a fused ring. The aryl group may be, for example, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group, an o-tolyl group, an m-tolyl group, a p-tolyl group, a 1-naphthyl group, and a 2-naphthyl group. The aryl group may be a group in which a hydrogen atom of an aromatic ring is substituted with an alkyl group, such as a tolyl group.

[0026] Ar １ , Ar ２ and Ar ３ The number of substituents that the has may be, for example, 0 to 2, or may be 0 or 1, or may be 0.

[0027] Z １ The alkanediyl group in may be linear or branched. The alkanediyl group may be an alkanediyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of the alkanediyl group include a methylene group, an ethanediyl group, a propanediyl group (e.g., a propane-2,2-diyl group), a butanediyl group, and an octanediyl group (e.g., an octane-3,3-diyl group).

[0028] X １ , X ２ and X ３ is preferably a hydroxy group. That is, the aromatic compound (1-1) may be an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, the aromatic compound (1-2) may be an aromatic diol, and the aromatic compound (1-3) may be an aromatic dicarboxylic acid.

[0029] X １１ , X １２ and X １３ is preferably an oxygen atom (—O—).

[0030] The liquid crystal polyester may be a polymer having the monomer unit (2-1), may be a polymer having the monomer unit (2-2) and the monomer unit (2-3), or may be a polymer having the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3).

[0031] When the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3), the content of the monomer unit (2-1) may be, for example, 30 mol% or more, 40 mol% or more, 45 mol% or more, 50 mol% or more, or 55 mol% or more, based on the total of all monomer units of the liquid crystal polyester. Furthermore, when the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3), the content of the monomer unit (2-1) may be, for example, 80% or less, or 70% or less, based on the total of all monomer units of the liquid crystal polyester. That is, when the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3), the content of the monomer unit (2-1) may be, for example, 30 mol% to 80 mol%, 30 mol% to 70 mol%, 40 mol% to 80 mol%, 40 mol% to 70 mol%, 45 mol% to 80 mol%, 45 mol% to 70 mol%, 50 mol% to 80 mol%, 50 mol% to 70 mol%, 55 mol% to 80 mol%, or 55 mol% to 70 mol%.

[0032] When the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3), the content of the monomer unit (2-2) and the content of the monomer unit (2-3) may each be, for example, 35 mol% or less, or 30 mol% or less, relative to the total of all monomer units of the liquid crystal polyester. Furthermore, when the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3), the content of the monomer unit (2-2) and the content of the monomer unit (2-3) may each be, for example, 5 mol% or more, 10 mol% or more, or 15 mol% or more, relative to the total of all monomer units of the liquid crystal polyester. That is, when the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3), the content of the monomer unit (2-2) and the content of the monomer unit (2-3) may be, for example, 5 mol% or more and 35 mol% or less, 5 mol% or more and 30 mol% or less, 10 mol% or more and 35 mol% or less, 10 mol% or more and 30 mol% or less, 15 mol% or more and 35 mol% or less, or 15 mol% or more and 30 mol% or less, relative to the total of all the monomer units of the liquid crystal polyester.

[0033] The liquid crystal polyester may have monomer units other than the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3), and the number thereof may be 10 mol% or less, 5 mol% or less, 2 mol% or less, 1 mol% or less, or even 0 mol%, relative to the total of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester. That is, in the liquid crystal polyester, the total amount of the monomer unit (2-1), the monomer unit (2-2), and the monomer unit (2-3) may be, for example, 90 mol% or more, 95 mol% or more, 99 mol% or more, or even 100 mol%, relative to the total of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester.

[0034] The liquid crystal polyester may be a polymer containing a monomer unit (A-1) having a condensed aromatic ring and a monomer unit (A-2) having a benzene ring but not a condensed aromatic ring.

[0035] Examples of the fused aromatic ring contained in the monomer unit (A-1) include a naphthalene ring, an anthracene ring, a phenanthrene ring, a tetracene ring, a pyrene ring, a triphenylene ring, a perylene ring, and a fluorene ring. Of these, a naphthalene ring is preferred from the viewpoints of availability and cost.

[0036] The monomer unit (A-1) is a monomer unit represented by formula (2-1) (where Ar １ is a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group, or Ar ４ and Ar ５ and a monomer unit represented by formula (2-2) (wherein Ar ２ is a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group, or Ar ４ and Ar ５ and a monomer unit represented by formula (2-3) (wherein Ar ３ is a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group, or Ar ４ and Ar ５ and at least one of which is a condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group, may be a group represented by formula (Z-1).

[0037] When the liquid crystal polyester is a polymer containing the monomer unit (A-1), the liquid crystal polyester preferably contains the monomer unit (A-1) as at least the monomer unit (2-1), and more preferably contains the monomer unit (A-1) as the monomer unit (2-1) and the monomer unit (2-3).

[0038] The monomer unit (A-1) can also be said to be a monomer unit derived from an aromatic compound (A-1') having a fused aromatic ring. Examples of the aromatic compound (A-1') include 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid, 1-hydroxy-5-naphthoic acid, and 2,7-naphthalenediol.

[0039] The monomer unit (A-2) is a monomer unit represented by formula (2-1) (where Ar １is a phenylene group, a biphenylylene group, or Ar ４ and Ar ５ is a phenylene group), a monomer unit represented by formula (2-2) (wherein Ar ２ is a phenylene group, a biphenylylene group, or Ar ４ and Ar ５ is a phenylene group), a monomer unit represented by formula (2-3) (wherein Ar ３ is a phenylene group, a biphenylylene group, or Ar ４ and Ar ５ is a phenylene group).

[0040] When the liquid crystal polyester is a polymer containing the monomer unit (A-2), the liquid crystal polyester preferably contains the monomer unit (A-2) as at least the monomer unit (2-2), and more preferably contains the monomer unit (A-2) as the monomer unit (2-2) and the monomer unit (2-3).

[0041] The monomer unit (A-2) may be a monomer unit derived from an aromatic compound (A-2') that does not have a condensed aromatic ring but has a benzene ring. Examples of the aromatic compound (A-2') include p-hydroxybenzoic acid, terephthalic acid, hydroquinone, isophthalic acid, and 4,4'-biphenol.

[0042] When the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (A-1) and the monomer unit (A-2), the content of the monomer unit (A-1) may be, for example, 20 mol% or more, 30 mol% or more, 40 mol% or more, 50 mol% or more, 60 mol% or more, or 70 mol% or more, based on the total of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester. A high content of the monomer unit (A-1) tends to further improve dielectric properties. Furthermore, the content of the monomer unit (A-1) may be, for example, 90 mol% or less, 85 mol% or less, or even 80 mol% or less, based on the total of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester. This tends to improve moldability and processability at low temperatures. That is, the content of the monomer unit (A-1) relative to the total of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester may be, for example, 20 mol% to 90 mol%, 20 mol% to 85 mol%, 20 mol% to 80 mol%, 30 mol% to 90 mol%, 30 mol% to 85 mol%, 30 mol% to 80 mol%, 40 mol% to 40 mol%, 40 mol% to 85 mol%, 40 mol% to 80 mol%, 50 mol% to 90 mol%, 50 mol% to 85 mol%, 50 mol% to 80 mol%, 60 mol% to 90 mol%, 60 mol% to 85 mol%, 60 mol% to 80 mol%, 70 mol% to 90 mol%, 70 mol% to 85 mol%, or 70 mol% to 80 mol%.

[0043] When the liquid crystal polyester has the monomer unit (A-1) and the monomer unit (A-2), the content of the monomer unit (A-2) may be, for example, 10 mol% or more, 15 mol% or more, or 20 mol% or more, relative to the total of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester. Furthermore, the content of the monomer unit (A-2) may be, for example, 80 mol% or less, 70 mol% or less, 60 mol% or less, 50 mol% or less, 40 mol% or less, or 30 mol% or less, relative to the total of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester. That is, the content of the monomer unit (A-2) may be, for example, 10 mol% or more and 80 mol% or less, 10 mol% or more and 70 mol% or less, 10 mol% or more and 60 mol% or less, 10 mol% or more and 50 mol% or less, 10 mol% or more and 40 mol% or less, 10 mol% or more and 30 mol% or less, 15 mol% or more and 80 mol% or less, 15 mol% or more and 70 mol% or less, 15 mol% or more and 60 mol% or less, 15 mol% or more and 50 mol% or less, 15 mol% or more and 40 mol% or less, 15 mol% or more and 30 mol% or less, 20 mol% or more and 80 mol% or less, 20 mol% or more and 70 mol% or less, 20 mol% or more and 60 mol% or less, 20 mol% or more and 50 mol% or less, 20 mol% or more and 40 mol% or less, or 20 mol% or more and 30 mol% or less.

[0044] In the liquid crystal polyester, the total amount of the monomer unit (A-1) and the monomer unit (A-2) may be, for example, 90 mol% or more, 95 mol% or more, 99 mol% or more, or 100 mol% based on the total amount of all monomer units constituting the liquid crystal polyester.

[0045] In this specification, the number of each monomer unit contained in the liquid crystal polyester is determined by the analytical method described in JP 2000-19168 A. Specifically, the liquid crystal polyester is depolymerized by reacting it with a lower alcohol in a supercritical state, and the depolymerization product (monomers that derive each monomer unit) is quantified by liquid chromatography, whereby the number of each monomer unit relative to the total monomer units can be calculated.

[0046] The liquid crystal polyester can be produced by polymerizing raw material monomers corresponding to the monomer units that constitute the liquid crystal polyester, for example, according to the method described in Japanese Patent No. 6439027.

[0047] The flow initiation temperature of the liquid crystal polyester may be, for example, 250° C. or higher, or 270° C. or higher. The flow initiation temperature of the liquid crystal polyester may be, for example, 400° C. or lower, 360° C. or lower, or 340° C. or lower. That is, the flow initiation temperature of the liquid crystal polyester may be, for example, 250° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower, 250° C. or higher and 360° C. or lower, 250° C. or higher and 340° C. or lower, 270° C. or higher and 400° C. or lower, 270° C. or higher and 360° C. or lower, or 270° C. or higher and 340° C. or lower.

[0048] In this specification, the flow initiation temperature of the liquid crystal polyester is measured using a flow tester, and the liquid crystal polyester is subjected to a pressure of 9.8 MPa (100 kg / cm ２ The liquid crystalline polyester is melted while being heated at a rate of 4°C / min under a load of 1000 kJ / min, and the molten liquid crystalline polyester is extruded from a nozzle having an inner diameter of 1 mm and a length of 10 mm, and the temperature is the temperature at which the viscosity of the extruded liquid crystalline polyester is 4800 Pa·s (48,000 poise).

[0049] The liquid crystal polyester may have a dielectric loss tangent at 10 GHz of, for example, 0.006 or less, preferably 0.004 or less, and more preferably 0.002 or less, which makes it easier to obtain a composition having a suitable dielectric loss tangent as described below.

[0050] The liquid crystal polyester may have a relative dielectric constant at 10 GHz of, for example, 4.0 or less, or 3.8 or less. The liquid crystal polyester may have a relative dielectric constant at 10 GHz of, for example, 2.8 or more, or 3.0 or more.

[0051] In this specification, the dielectric loss tangent and relative permittivity of the liquid crystal polyester at 10 GHz are measured by the following method. Using an injection molding machine (ROBOSHOT S-2000i 30B, manufactured by FANUC Corporation), a cylinder temperature of 330°C, a mold temperature of 130°C, and an injection speed of 100 mm / s, a test piece having a width of 50 mm, a length of 50 mm, and a thickness of 0.5 mm is obtained using a liquid crystal polyester pellet as the molding material. The relative permittivity and dielectric loss tangent of the obtained test piece at 10 GHz are measured using a vector network analyzer (N5290A, manufactured by Keysight Technologies Inc.) and a split cylinder resonator (CR710, manufactured by EM Lab Co., Ltd.). The measurement environment is 23°C and 50% RH.

[0052] The liquid crystal polyester composition of the present embodiment contains at least a hollow glass filler as an inorganic filler.

[0053] The hollow glass filler is a glass filler containing an air layer inside, and can also be called hollow glass beads or glass balloons.

[0054] The hollow glass filler may have an average particle size (median diameter, D50) of, for example, 5 μm or more, 8 μm or more, 10 μm or more, or 15 μm or more. The hollow glass filler may have an average particle size (median diameter, D50) of, for example, 80 μm or less, 50 μm or less, 35 μm or less, or 25 μm or less.

[0055] The content of the hollow glass filler may be, for example, 5 parts by mass or more relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester, and from the viewpoint of easily obtaining a lower dielectric constant, it may be 7 parts by mass or more, 10 parts by mass or more, or 15 parts by mass or more. The content of the hollow glass filler may be, for example, 60 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester, and from the viewpoint of easily obtaining higher fluidity and easily obtaining a molded product in which the generation of fine powder upon breakage is further suppressed, it may be 50 parts by mass or less, 40 parts by mass or less, 30 parts by mass or less, or 25 parts by mass or less. That is, the content of the hollow glass filler relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester may be, for example, 5 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, or 15 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less.

[0056] The proportion of the hollow glass filler in the inorganic filler may be, for example, 50% by mass or more, and from the viewpoint of obtaining the above-mentioned effect more significantly, it may be 60% by mass or more, 70% by mass or more, 75% by mass or more, or even 100% by mass.

[0057] The inorganic filler may further contain an inorganic filler other than the hollow glass filler. The inorganic filler other than the hollow glass filler may be a non-hollow filler. By further containing a non-hollow filler as the inorganic filler, the generation of fine powder during crushing tends to be more significantly suppressed.

[0058] The inorganic filler other than the hollow glass filler may be a fibrous filler, a plate-like filler, or a granular filler.

[0059] Examples of fibrous fillers include glass fibers, carbon fibers such as bread-based carbon fibers and pitch-based carbon fibers, ceramic fibers such as silica fibers, alumina fibers, and silica-alumina fibers, and metal fibers such as stainless steel fibers.Further examples include whiskers such as potassium titanate whiskers, barium titanate whiskers, wollastonite whiskers, aluminum borate whiskers, silicon nitride whiskers, and silicon carbide whiskers.

[0060] Examples of the plate-like filler include talc, mica, graphite, wollastonite, glass flakes, barium sulfate, and calcium carbonate. The mica may be muscovite, phlogopite, fluorophlogopite, or tetrasilicic mica.

[0061] Particulate fillers include, for example, silica, alumina, titanium oxide, glass beads, boron nitride, silicon carbide, and calcium carbonate.

[0062] The content of the non-hollow filler may be, for example, 1 part by mass or more relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester, and from the viewpoint of obtaining the above-mentioned effect more significantly, it may be 2 parts by mass or more, 3 parts by mass or more, or 4 parts by mass or more. Furthermore, the content of the non-hollow filler may be, for example, 25 parts by mass or less, 20 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or less, or 5 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. That is, the content of the non-hollow filler is, for example, 1 part by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 1 part by mass or more and 15 parts by mass or less, 1 part by mass or more and 10 parts by mass, 1 part by mass or more and 5 parts by mass or less, 2 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass, 2 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 2 parts by mass or more and 15 parts by mass or less, and 2 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, based on 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. Below, 2 parts by mass to 5 parts by mass, 3 parts by mass to 25 parts by mass, 3 parts by mass to 20 parts by mass, 3 parts by mass to 15 parts by mass, 3 parts to 10 parts by mass, 3 parts by mass to 5 parts by mass, 4 parts to 25 parts by mass, 4 parts to 20 parts by mass, 4 parts by mass to 15 parts by mass, 4 parts by mass to 10 parts by mass, or 4 parts by mass to 5 parts by mass.

[0063] The content of the inorganic filler may be, for example, 5 parts by mass or more, 7 parts by mass or more, 10 parts by mass or more, or 15 parts by mass or more, relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. Furthermore, the content of the inorganic filler may be, for example, 60 parts by mass or less, 50 parts by mass or less, 40 parts by mass or less, 30 parts by mass or less, or 25 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. That is, the content of the inorganic filler is, for example, 5 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, and 5 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. Parts by weight or more and 30 parts by weight or less, 5 parts by weight or more and 25 parts by weight or less, 7 parts by weight or more and 60 parts by weight or less, 7 parts by weight or more and 50 parts by weight or less, 7 parts by weight or more and 30 parts by weight or less, 7 parts by weight or more and 30 parts by weight or less 25 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, The content may be 15 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, or 15 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less.

[0064] The styrene-based resin is a polymer having a monomer unit derived from styrene.

[0065] The styrene-based resin may contain monomer units derived from a monomer other than styrene, such as acrylonitrile, butadiene, and ethylene.

[0066] The styrene-based resin may be, for example, polystyrene, modified polystyrene, etc., and polystyrene is preferred from the viewpoint of achieving the above-mentioned effects more significantly.

[0067] The polystyrene may be isotactic polystyrene, syndiotactic polystyrene or atactic polystyrene.

[0068] The dielectric loss tangent of the styrene-based resin at 10 GHz may be, for example, 0.001 or less, or may be 0.0008 or less.

[0069] The styrene-based resin may have a relative dielectric constant at 10 GHz of, for example, 3 or less, or 2.6 or less. The styrene-based resin may have a relative dielectric constant at 10 GHz of, for example, 2 or more, or 2.2 or more.

[0070] In this specification, the dielectric loss tangent and relative permittivity of styrene-based resins at 10 GHz are measured by the following method. Using an injection molding machine (ROBOSHOT S-2000i 30B, manufactured by FANUC Corporation), a cylinder temperature of 290°C (Xarek 300ZC) or 300°C (Xarek 90ZC), a mold temperature of 130°C, and an injection speed of 100 mm / s, a test piece measuring 50 mm in width, 50 mm in length, and 0.5 mm in thickness is obtained using styrene-based resin pellets as the molding material. The cylinder temperature is set to a temperature at which the resin to be measured is sufficiently plasticized and does not significantly decompose. The resulting test piece is measured for its relative permittivity and dielectric loss tangent at 10 GHz using a vector network analyzer (N5290A, manufactured by Keysight Technologies Inc.) and a split cylinder resonator (CR710, manufactured by EM Lab Co., Ltd.). The measurement environment is 23°C and 50% RH.

[0071] The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 10,000 or more, 20,000 or more, 30,000 or more, or 40,000 or more. The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 200,000 or less, 150,000 or less, 130,000 or less, or 100,000 or less.

[0072] The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 20,000 or more, 40,000 or more, 60,000 or more, or 80,000 or more. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 400,000 or less, 300,000 or less, 250,000 or less, or 200,000 or less.

[0073] The molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 1.3 or more, 1.6 or more, 1.8 or more, or 2 or more. The molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 8 or less, 7 or less, 6 or less, or 5 or less.

[0074] In this specification, the number average molecular weight (Mn), weight average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution (Mw / Mn) of the styrene-based resin are values ​​measured by gel permeation chromatography at 135°C using 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene as a solvent.

[0075] The content of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 5 parts by mass or more relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester, and from the viewpoint of easily obtaining higher fluidity and easily obtaining a molded article in which the generation of fine powder at the time of breakage is further suppressed, it may be 7 parts by mass or more, 10 parts by mass or more, 15 parts by mass or more, or 20 parts by mass or more. Furthermore, the content of the styrene-based resin may be, for example, 60 parts by mass or less, 50 parts by mass or less, 40 parts by mass or less, 30 parts by mass or less, or 25 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester. That is, the content of the styrene-based resin relative to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester is, for example, 5 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, 5 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, 7 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less The following: 10 parts by mass to 40 parts by mass, 10 parts by mass to 30 parts by mass, 10 parts by mass to 25 parts by mass, 15 parts by mass to 60 parts by mass, 15 parts by mass to 50 parts by mass, 15 parts by mass to 40 parts by mass, 15 parts by mass to 30 parts by mass parts by mass or less, 15 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less, 20 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less, 20 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less, 20 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, 20 parts by mass or more and 30 parts by mass or less, or 20 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less.

[0076] Inorganic filler content C１ The content of styrene resin C ２ The ratio (C ２ / C １ ) (mass ratio) may be, for example, 0.10 or more, and from the viewpoint of obtaining the above-mentioned effect more significantly, it may be 0.12 or more, 0.14 or more, or 0.20 or more. １ The content of styrene resin C ２ The ratio (C ２ / C １ ) (mass ratio) may be, for example, 10.0 or less, and from the viewpoint of obtaining the above-mentioned effect more significantly, it may be 8.0 or less, 7.0 or less, or 5.0 or less.

[0077] In the liquid crystal polyester composition, the total amount of the liquid crystal polyester, inorganic filler, and styrene-based resin may be, for example, 80% by mass or more, 85% by mass or more, 90% by mass or more, 95% by mass or more, 97% by mass or more, or 99% by mass or more, or may be 100% by mass.

[0078] The liquid crystal polyester composition may further contain other components in addition to the liquid crystal polyester, inorganic filler, and styrene-based resin.

[0079] For example, the liquid crystal polyester composition may contain one or more resins other than the liquid crystal polyester and the styrene-based resin, such as polyolefin, cyclic polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polysulfone, (meth)acrylic resin, polyphenylene ether resin, polyacetal resin, polyamide resin, imide resin, cellulose resin, polyether ether ketone resin, fluororesin, polycarbonate resin, and thermosetting resin.

[0080] The liquid crystal polyester composition may further contain a colorant, a dispersant, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, a curing agent, a flame retardant, a heat stabilizer, an ultraviolet absorber, an antistatic agent, a surfactant, a lubricant, a release agent, etc.

[0081] The liquid crystal polyester composition may have a dielectric loss tangent at 1 GHz of, for example, 0.004 or less, preferably 0.003 or less, and more preferably 0.001 or less.

[0082] The liquid crystal polyester composition may have a relative dielectric constant at 1 GHz of, for example, 3.4 or less, or 2.8 or less. The liquid crystal polyester composition may have a relative dielectric constant at 1 GHz of, for example, 2.3 or more, or 2.7 or more.

[0083] The dielectric loss tangent and the relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal polyester composition are measured by the method described in the examples.

[0084] The liquid crystal polyester composition may have a specific gravity of, for example, 1.20 or less, preferably 1.18 or less, more preferably 1.14 or less. The liquid crystal polyester composition may have a specific gravity of, for example, 1.05 or more, or 1.10 or more.

[0085] The specific gravity of the liquid crystal polyester composition is measured by the method described in the examples.

[0086] The liquid crystal polyester composition of the present embodiment has excellent fluidity when melted, and therefore can be suitably used as a molding material. The liquid crystal polyester composition may be used, for example, in the form of pellets.

[0087] The molded article of this embodiment comprises the above-mentioned liquid crystal polyester composition.The molded article of this embodiment can be, for example, connector, socket, relay parts, coil bobbin, optical pickup, oscillator, semiconductor package, IC tray, wafer carrier, household electrical appliance parts, lighting fixture parts, audio product parts, ferrule for optical cable, telephone parts, facsimile parts, modem parts, separation claw, heater holder, impeller, fan gear, gear, bearing, motor parts, motor case, engine parts, engine room parts, electrical equipment parts, automobile interior parts, microwave cooking pot, heat-resistant tableware, flooring, wall material, beam, pillar, roofing material, aircraft parts, spacecraft parts, space equipment parts, nuclear reactor, marine facility parts, cleaning tool, optical equipment parts, valves, pipes, nozzles, filters, membranes, medical equipment parts, medical materials, sensor parts, sanitary equipment, sporting goods or leisure goods.

[0088] The molded article of the present embodiment can be obtained, for example, by molding the liquid crystal polyester composition described above into a desired shape and subjecting it to processing treatment as necessary.

[0089] The molding method for the molded article is preferably melt molding, which includes injection molding, extrusion molding, compression molding, blow molding, vacuum molding, foam molding, press molding, etc., with injection molding being preferred.

[0090] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0091] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Hereinafter, percentages and parts representing the content or amount used are based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0092] (Example 1-1) (1) Production of Liquid Crystal Polyester (LCP1) A reactor equipped with a stirrer, a torque meter, a nitrogen gas inlet tube, a thermometer, and a reflux condenser was charged with 994.5 g (7.2 mol) of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 446.9 g (2.4 mol) of 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 299.0 g (1.8 mol) of terephthalic acid, 99.7 g (0.6 mol) of isophthalic acid, and 1347.6 g (13.2 mol) of acetic anhydride, and 0.2 g of 1-methylimidazole was added as a catalyst. The atmosphere inside the reactor was then thoroughly purged with nitrogen gas. Thereafter, while stirring under a nitrogen gas stream, the temperature was increased from room temperature to 150°C over 30 minutes, and the same temperature was maintained and refluxed for 30 minutes. Next, 0.9 g of 1-methylimidazole was added, and while distilling off by-product acetic acid and unreacted acetic anhydride, the temperature was raised from 150°C to 320°C over 2 hours and 50 minutes. After holding at 320°C for 30 minutes, the contents were removed and cooled to room temperature. The resulting solid was pulverized to a particle size of 0.1 to 1 mm using a pulverizer, and then solid-state polymerization was carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere by raising the temperature from room temperature to 250°C over 1 hour, then raising the temperature from 250°C to 285°C over 5 hours, and holding at 285°C for 3 hours. The solid after solid-state polymerization was cooled to obtain a powdered liquid crystal polyester (LCP1). The flow initiation temperature of the resulting liquid crystal polyester (LCP1) was 327°C. The flow initiation temperature was measured using the following method.

[0093] <Measurement of Flow Initiation Temperature> Using a flow tester (manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation, "CFT-500EX Model"), about 2 g of liquid crystalline polyester was filled into a cylinder equipped with a die having a nozzle with an inner diameter of 1 mm and a length of 10 mm, and the liquid crystalline polyester was melted and extruded from the nozzle while being heated at a rate of 4°C / min under a load of 9.8 MPa. The temperature at which the liquid crystalline polyester showed a viscosity of 4800 Pa s was measured, and this was defined as the flow initiation temperature of the liquid crystalline polyester.

[0094] (2) Preparation of Liquid Crystal Polyester Composition As a hollow glass filler, glass balloons (iM16K, manufactured by 3M, average particle size (median diameter, D50): 21 μm) were prepared (referred to as "GB1" in Table 1). Furthermore, as a styrene-based resin, styrene-based resin 1 (XAREC 300ZC, manufactured by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., weight average molecular weight (Mw): 140,000) was prepared (referred to as "PS1" in Table 1). The raw materials shown in Table 1 were compounded in the mass ratios shown in Table 1, dry-blended, and then melt-kneaded in a twin-screw extruder (manufactured by Ikegai Iron Works Co., Ltd., "PCM-30", cylinder temperature: 330°C, screw rotation speed: 150 rpm). The mixture was extruded in the form of a strand through a circular nozzle (discharge port) having a diameter of 3 mm, passed through a water bath at a water temperature of 30°C for 1.5 seconds, passed through a take-up roller at a take-up speed of 40 m / min, and pelletized with a strand cutter (manufactured by Tanabe Plastic Machinery Co., Ltd.) to obtain pellets of a liquid crystal polyester composition.

[0095] The liquid crystal polyester compositions thus obtained were evaluated for fluidity, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated by the following methods. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0096] <Evaluation of Flowability> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mold for measuring thin-wall flow length. The units of values ​​in FIG. 1 are mm. Here, the mold shown in FIG. 1 with a thickness (X) of 0.3 mm was used. Using the mold shown in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal polyester composition was molded in an injection molding machine ("Roboshot S2000i-30B" manufactured by FANUC CORPORATION) under the following injection molding conditions. For the molded article removed from the mold, the length from the gate opening to the end of the flow in the resin flow direction (i.e., 0.3 mmt flow length) was measured. This measurement was performed 10 times, and the average value of the 0.3 mmt flow length was calculated. The obtained results are shown in Table 1 as the "flow length." If the flow length is too short, it may be difficult to mold a fine molded article using the resin, which is undesirable. On the other hand, if the flow length is too long, the viscosity of the resin may be low, making it difficult to handle the resin during molding, which is undesirable. [Injection molding conditions] Cylinder temperature: 350°C Mold temperature: 120°C Measurement value: 20 mm Injection speed: 200 mm / sec Maximum injection pressure: 100 MPa Holding pressure: 20 MPa

[0097] <Measurement of specific gravity> Using an injection molding machine ("PNX40-5A" manufactured by Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.), a 2.5 mm thick ASTM No. 4 test piece was produced from the liquid crystal polyester composition under the following injection molding conditions. Next, using the obtained test piece, an automatic specific gravity measuring device ("ASG-320K" manufactured by Kanto Major Co., Ltd.) was used to measure the specific gravity of the molded test piece under conditions of 23°C. [Injection molding conditions] Cylinder temperature: 350°C Mold temperature: 130°C Injection speed: 75 mm / sec Holding pressure: 30 MPa

[0098] <Evaluation of Dielectric Properties> Using an injection molding machine (manufactured by Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd., "PNX40-5A"), rod-shaped test pieces measuring 64 mm in width, 64 mm in length, and 1.0 mm in thickness were produced from the liquid crystal polyester composition under the following injection molding conditions. 10 test pieces were produced in the same manner, and the dielectric constant and dielectric dissipation factor at 1 GHz were measured for each test piece under the following measurement conditions and method, and the average values ​​were calculated. [Injection molding conditions] Cylinder temperature: 350°C Mold temperature: 130°C Injection speed: 75 mm / sec Holding pressure: 30 MPa [Measurement conditions and measurement method] Measurement method: Capacitive method Apparatus: Impedance analyzer (manufactured by Agilent, model "E4991A") Electrode model: 16453A Measurement environment: 23°C, 50% RH Applied voltage: 500 mV

[0099] <Evaluation of the amount of fine powder generated> Using an injection molding machine (manufactured by Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd., "PNX40-5A"), a rod-shaped test piece having a width of 12.7 mm, a length of 127 mm, and a thickness of 6.4 mm was produced from the liquid crystal polyester composition under the following injection molding conditions. Next, an Izod impact test was performed using the obtained test piece according to ASTM D256. After the impact test, the rod-shaped test piece separated into two test pieces. The weight of the rod-shaped test piece before the test minus the total weight of the two test pieces after the test was measured, and the measured weight was evaluated as the amount of fine powder generated. [Injection molding conditions] Cylinder temperature: 350°C Mold temperature: 130°C Injection speed: 75 mm / sec Holding pressure: 25 MPa

[0100] (Example 1-2) A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the blending ratio of each raw material was changed as shown in Table 1. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for fluidity, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0101] Comparative Example 1-1 A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the styrene-based resin was not added and the compounding ratio of the liquid crystal polyester and the hollow glass filler was changed as shown in Table 1. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for fluidity, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0102]

[0103] (Example 2-1) (1) Production of Liquid Crystal Polyester (LCP2) A reactor equipped with a stirrer, a torque meter, a nitrogen gas inlet tube, a thermometer, and a reflux condenser was charged with 994.5 g (7.2 mol) of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 446.9 g (2.4 mol) of 4,4'-dihydroxybiphenyl, 272.1 g (1.64 mol) of terephthalic acid, 126.6 g (0.76 mol) of isophthalic acid, and 1347.6 g (13.2 mol) of acetic anhydride, and 0.2 g of 1-methylimidazole was added as a catalyst. The atmosphere inside the reactor was then thoroughly purged with nitrogen gas. Thereafter, while stirring under a nitrogen gas stream, the temperature was raised from room temperature to 150°C over 30 minutes, and the same temperature was maintained and refluxed for 30 minutes. Next, 0.9 g of 1-methylimidazole was added, and while distilling off by-product acetic acid and unreacted acetic anhydride, the temperature was raised from 150°C to 320°C over 2 hours and 50 minutes. After holding at 320°C for 30 minutes, the contents were removed and cooled to room temperature. The resulting solid was pulverized to a particle size of 0.1 to 1 mm using a pulverizer, and then, under a nitrogen atmosphere, the temperature was raised from room temperature to 250°C over 1 hour, then from 250°C to 285°C over 5 hours, and held at 285°C for 3 hours, thereby carrying out solid-state polymerization. The solid after solid-state polymerization was cooled to obtain a powdered liquid crystal polyester (LCP2). The flow initiation temperature of the resulting liquid crystal polyester (LCP2) was 312°C. The flow initiation temperature was measured using the same method as in Example 1-1.

[0104] (2) Preparation of Liquid Crystal Polyester Composition As a hollow glass filler, glass balloons (iM16K, manufactured by 3M, average particle size (median diameter, D50): 21 μm) were prepared (referred to as "GB1" in Table 2). Furthermore, as a styrene-based resin, styrene-based resin 1 (XAREC 300ZC, manufactured by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., weight average molecular weight (Mw): 140,000) was prepared (referred to as "PS1" in Table 2). Furthermore, as an inorganic filler, mica powder (manufactured by Yamaguchi Mica Co., Ltd., "AB-25S", average particle size 24 μm, thickness 0.45 μm) was prepared (referred to as "X1" in Table 2). Furthermore, as an inorganic filler, glass fiber (manufactured by Central Glass Fiber Co., Ltd., "FDE90-01", average fiber length 90 μm, average fiber diameter 6 μm) was prepared (referred to as "X2" in Table 2). A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the raw materials shown in Table 2 were blended in the mass ratios shown in Table 2. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for flowability, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0105] (Examples 2-2 to 2-5) Liquid crystal polyester compositions were produced in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that the blending ratios of the raw materials were changed as shown in Table 2. The obtained liquid crystal polyester compositions were evaluated for flowability, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0106] Comparative Example 2-1 A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that the styrene-based resin was not added and the compounding ratio of the liquid crystal polyester and the hollow glass filler was changed as shown in Table 3. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for fluidity, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0107] Comparative Example 2-2 A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 2-1, except that no hollow glass filler was added and the blending ratio of the liquid crystal polyester and the styrene-based resin was changed as shown in Table 3. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for fluidity, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0108]

[0109]

[0110] In addition, the liquid crystal polyester composition of Comparative Example 2-2 was in a state where the rod-shaped test piece was not broken in the Izod impact test.

[0111] Example 3-1 (1) Production of Liquid Crystal Polyester (LCP3) A reactor equipped with a stirrer, torque meter, nitrogen gas inlet tube, thermometer, and reflux condenser was charged with 1,034.99 g (5.5 mol) of 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, 378.33 g (1.75 mol) of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 83.07 g (0.5 mol) of terephthalic acid, 272.52 g (2.475 mol) of hydroquinone (a 0.225 molar excess relative to the total amount of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and terephthalic acid), and 1,226.87 g (12 mol) of acetic anhydride, 0.17 g of 1-methylimidazole was added as a catalyst, and the gas inside the reactor was replaced with nitrogen gas. Thereafter, while stirring under a nitrogen gas flow, the temperature inside the reactor was raised from room temperature to 140°C over 15 minutes, and the mixture was refluxed at 140°C for 1 hour. Next, while distilling off by-product acetic acid and unreacted acetic anhydride, the temperature was increased from 145°C to 310°C over 3.5 hours, and then maintained at 310°C for 3 hours. The contents were then removed and cooled to room temperature. The resulting solid was pulverized to a particle size of approximately 0.1 to 1 mm using a pulverizer. Then, in a nitrogen atmosphere, the temperature was increased from room temperature to 250°C over 1 hour, then increased from 250°C to 310°C over 9 hours, and maintained at 310°C for 5 hours, thereby carrying out solid-state polymerization. The solid after solid-state polymerization was cooled to obtain a powdered liquid crystal polyester (LCP3). The flow initiation temperature of the resulting liquid crystal polyester (LCP3) was 322°C. The flow initiation temperature was measured in the same manner as in Example 1-1.

[0112] (2) Preparation of Liquid Crystal Polyester Composition As a hollow glass filler, glass balloons (iM16K, manufactured by 3M, average particle size (median diameter, D50): 21 μm) were prepared (referred to as "GB1" in Table 2). Furthermore, as a styrene-based resin, styrene-based resin 1 (XAREC 300ZC, manufactured by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., weight average molecular weight (Mw): 140,000) was prepared (referred to as "PS1" in Table 2). Furthermore, as an inorganic filler, mica powder (manufactured by Yamaguchi Mica Co., Ltd., "AB-25S", average particle size 24 μm, thickness 0.45 μm) was prepared (referred to as "X1" in Table 2). Furthermore, as an inorganic filler, glass fiber (manufactured by Central Glass Fiber Co., Ltd., "FDE90-01", average fiber length 90 μm, average fiber diameter 6 μm) was prepared (referred to as "X2" in Table 2). A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the raw materials shown in Table 4 were blended in the mass ratios shown in Table 4. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for flowability, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0113] (Examples 3-2 to 3-4) Liquid crystal polyester compositions were produced in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the blending ratios of the raw materials were changed as shown in Table 4. The obtained liquid crystal polyester compositions were evaluated for flowability, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0114] Comparative Example 3-1 A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that the styrene-based resin was not added and the compounding ratio of the liquid crystal polyester and the hollow glass filler was changed as shown in Table 5. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for fluidity, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 5.

[0115] Comparative Example 3-2 A liquid crystal polyester composition was produced in the same manner as in Example 3-1, except that no hollow glass filler was added and the blending ratio of the liquid crystal polyester and the styrene-based resin was changed as shown in Table 5. The obtained liquid crystal polyester composition was evaluated for fluidity, specific gravity, dielectric properties, and the amount of fine powder generated in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results are shown in Table 5.

[0116]

[0117]

[0118] In addition, the liquid crystal polyester composition of Comparative Example 3-2 was in a state where the rod-shaped test piece was not broken in the Izod impact test.

Claims

1. A liquid crystal polyester composition comprising: a liquid crystal polyester; an inorganic filler containing a hollow glass filler; and a styrene-based resin.

2. The liquid crystal polyester composition according to claim 1, wherein the styrene-based resin is polystyrene.

3. The liquid crystal polyester composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of the hollow glass filler is 5 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester.

4. The liquid crystal polyester composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of the styrene-based resin is 5 parts by mass or more and 60 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester.

5. Content C of the Inorganic Filler １ The content C of the styrene-based resin relative to ２ The ratio (C ２ / C １ 2. The liquid crystal polyester composition according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the t-value of the liquid crystal polyester to the t-value of the liquid crystal polyester is 0.1 or more and 10 or less.

6. The liquid crystal polyester composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic filler further comprises a non-hollow filler.

7. The liquid crystal polyester composition according to claim 6, wherein the content of the non-hollow filler is 2 parts by mass or more and 25 parts by mass or less based on 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal polyester.

8. The liquid crystal polyester composition according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of the hollow glass filler in the inorganic filler is 50% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less.

9. A molded article comprising the liquid crystal polyester composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for producing a molded article, comprising the step of obtaining a molded article by molding the liquid crystal polyester composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the molding is injection molding.

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