Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) are a relatively new class of high temperature polymers that have attracted a great deal of interest, both academically and industrially. This interest has arisen because of the very high mechanical properties that LCPs provide, as well as the relatively low melt viscosity. There have also been attempts to take advantage of these unique properties in mixtures with other polymers. This chapter will summarize those studies and highlight the advantages offered by the use of LCPs in blends, including an effect referred to as a self-reinforcing composite. It is also possible to use LCPs as rheology modifying agents. Future directions in the area are recommended.

Polymers other than polyolefins which are commonly used in the production of biaxial stretched films are the topic of this chapter. Specifically, polyamides, polyesters and poly (lactic acid) are the primary polymers which are discussed. Typical processing scenarios for each of these are provided and advantages of the films produced are mentioned.

This chapter provides definitions of key terms which are involved with the process of biaxial orientation of films. The two common types of biaxial orientation processes which are currently used, simultaneous and sequential orientation, are described in detail and advantages and disadvantages of both processes are discussed. Polymers which are commonly used in the biaxial stretching process are mentioned as well as their common uses.

Various equipment designs for the production of biaxially oriented films are reviewed and the specifics of present designs are highlighted. The equipment is discussed in terms of both present and future material needs. Future equipment needs are mentioned in terms of specialty film applications which are currently being developed.

There are several polymers from which biaxially stretched film can be produced. The present chapter specifically discusses polypropylene and polyethylene, together termed polyolefins, which are two of the most commonly used polymers in biaxially stretched film. Film production processes which are commonly used for each of the two polymers will be highlighted.

This chapter focuses on laboratory evaluations and primarily discusses the several types of equipment which are used to perform them. such laboratory evaluations can provide extremely useful insight into the manner that new formulations and film structures will behave on larger equipment, thus saving both time and effort on these larger scale experiments. It is desirable to be able to perform such small scale experiments to gain an understanding of the predicted behavior.

Details are provided of the production processes which are currently practiced commercially in the general area of biaxial orientation of film. This chapter will specifically focus on the industrial, commercial aspects of the processes and the issues which are involved with them. In addition, information is provided on the companies that utilize the various production processes.

After films are produced, they are often subjected to various post-processing steps to make them more utilizable in the final proposed application. This post-processing can include surface treatments of various types. The post-processing steps are the main focus of this chapter.

This chapter will focus specifically on the academic investigations which have been reported on biaxially stretched films and the fundamental knowledge which has been obtained from those studies. Additional fundamental studies are proposed to continue to gain insight into the biaxial film stretching process. Further, continued work on the film production process is stressed due to the effect that it has on the subsequent film stretching features.

This chapter discusses both the advantages and disadvantages of using the hollow fiber configuration in various applications. The application of the technology to the chemical, petrochemical and biotechnology industries is addressed. Definitions of key terms in hollow fiber technology are provided and structure-property relationships of hollow fibers are highlighted. How those relationships are highly dependent on the fiber processing conditions is a focus of the chapter.