By Kota Nakamura, Ryosuke Sakae, Hisatoshi Tanaka and Munekazu Matoba, Toray Industries, Japan

Liquid crystal polyester (LCP) filament yarns made from thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer are a type of “super fiber,” which include para-aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).Since the mass production of LCP filament yarns began in the 1990s, demand has expanded owing to their unique characteristics, such as high tenacity, high modulus, low water absorption and heat resistance.