Abstract: Dry polycaprolactam granules containing from 8 to 13% by weight of caprolactam and its oligomers are prepared by a method in which a caprolactam melt is extruded, the extrudates are cooled to 100.degree.-150.degree. C., left at this temperature until the polycaprolactam has substantially crystallized, and then immediately granulated, and the granules are left in a stream of inert gas, in the absence of molecular oxygen, for from 1 to 4 hours at from 100.degree. to 150.degree. C., and are then cooled.

Abstract: Process for the continuous manufacture of polymeric starting materials for high-grade transparent thin sheeting, whereinA. .epsilon.-caprolactam is continuously agitated in a first reaction zone under polyamide-forming conditions at temperatures of from 240.degree. to 290.degree. C until at least 20% and preferably at least 35% of the .epsilon.-caprolactam has reacted,B. magnesium silicate having a particle size of less than 30 .mu.m is then added to the melt to give magnesium silicate concentrations in the reaction mixture of from 0.0005 to 0.5% and preferably from 0.001 to 0.01%, andC. the melt is then polymerized in further stages to completion until the relative viscosity is from 2.4 to 3.3 and preferably from 2.5 to 2.8.