Abstract: The invention relates to a polyaniline, comprising aniline units and organosulphur units, characterized in that the polyaniline is doped and has a number average degree of polymerization of approximately 5 to approximately 50. The scope of the invention also includes a process for the preparation of polyaniline, wherein aniline and at least one organosulphur unit are converted to a polyaniline derivative in an oxidative, acid-catalyzed polymerization reaction. A subject of the invention is also a coated substrate which is coated with the polyaniline according to the invention and also a process for the coating of the substrate. The scope of the invention furthermore also includes a coating composition which is suitable for the coating of the substrate. The invention thus also relates to a process for the preparation of the coating composition.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the production of thermoplastic, caprolactam containing molding compositions by hydrolytic polymerization of caprolactam in stirrer autoclaves in which a molten mass is polymerized at pressures of 5 to 20 bar and temperatures of 220.degree. to 280.degree. C., the molten mass is transferred into an intermediate vessel to which vacuum is applied for continued polymerization and removal of volatile portions. Subsequently, the mass is continuously fed into a multi-screw extruder, in order to attain at increased temperatures and vacuum the desired polymerization degree and the desired monomer and oligomer contents. In a subsequent zone of the extruder, when desired, additional agents are worked in, whereafter a further degasification occurs in the end zone of the extruder, whereafter the mass is extruded, quenched, subdivided and dried. The method and apparatus use relatively little energy as compared with the prior art.