Polymorphism and Thermoelastic Behavior of Some Crosslinked Mesogenic Polysiloxanes

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Abstract
A series of crosslinked liquid crystalline polysiloxanes has been realized by successively modifying the crosslinking density, the chemical nature of the linkage and the nematogenic or smectogenic character of the mesogen. All these parameters affect the polymorphism of the network, especially the ordered smectic A phases which have been proved more sensitive to crosslinking than the nematic phases. The mechanical measurements confirm the influence of the structure of the material and show that, in the smectic state, the mesogenic side groups build up ordered structures which create much more important retractive forces than in a purely nematic material.