Abstract:
Volatile constituents are removed from molten polyamides, e.g. polymers of C6- 12 lactams such as capro, oenantho-, capryl- or laurolactam, in the shown film evaporator by distributing the molten polyamide at 240 DEG to 300 DEG C. over the walls of chamber 1 via slot die 7 movable, below suction pipe 5, along the vertical axis. Subatmospheric pressure of 0.1 to 50 mm. Hg. is maintained in the chamber and the purified polymer is continuously removed by motor-driven screw 10 the upper portion of which is constructed as a stirrer (9).
Abstract:
Polyamides are stabilized to heat and air by addition of a copper compound soluble in it and a halogen substituted lactam. Polyamides specified are derived from capro-, capryl-, oenautho- or laurolactam, the corresponding o -aminocarboxylic acid or a salt of a diamine, e.g. hexa-, octa- or deca-methylene diamine or bis-(4-aminophenyl) methane and a dicarboxylic acid, e.g. adipic, suberic, sebacic, undecane dicarboxylic or heptadecane dicarboxylic acid. Copper compounds specified are cupric acetate, sulphate and sulphinate and Cu complexes with NH3, amines and tartaric acid. Halogeno-lactams may be the mono- and di-N-and/or C-substituted C6-C14 lactams, e.g. the chloro-, bromo- or iodo derivatives of capro-, capryl-, oenautho- or laurolactams. Compounds used in the examples are a -bromo-, a -iodo- and a ,a - dichlorocuprolactam. 0.01-0.1% of each stabilizer may be added before or after polymerization together with pigments, dyes and/or photostabilizers, e.g. Mn salts. In one particular embodiment 1-10% of the copper compound and 1-10% of the halolactam may be added to a polyamide-forming mixture, which may then be stored and added to further polymer-forming mixture when required. The polymerization may be continuous or batchwise using an acid or neutral catalyst.