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Polymerization of ε‐caprolactam in an extruder: Process analysis and aspects of industrial application
Author(s) -
Menges G.,
Bartilla T.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760271603
Subject(s) - polyamide , plastics extrusion , caprolactam , polymerization , materials science , extrusion , polymer , reactive extrusion , process (computing) , composite material , polymer chemistry , polymer science , process engineering , chemical engineering , computer science , engineering , operating system
The polymerization of caprolactam into polyamide 6 on corotating twin‐screw extruders provides the processor with technically and economically interesting aspects of application. Using the extruder as a small reactor, it is possible, on the one hand, for small batches of polyamide to be optimized for specific applications, and, on the other hand, for large quantities of polymerized polyamide melts to be fed into different processes. Apart from the extrusion of filaments, films, and profiles, the continuous polymerization process also can be coupled up to discontinuous processes. This so‐called rapid polymerization in the extruder not only brings price advantages as compared with standard polyamides, but also gives higher molecular weights and, hence, improved properties.