Abstract: A process for manufacturing polyamide molded articles having improved resistance to discoloration while also having good heat stability involving preparing masterbatch pellets of at least a polyamide and a heat stabilizer, diluting the polyamide masterbatch pellets with a dilution polyamide resin to form a polyamide mixture, and molding the polyamide mixture into a molded article.

Abstract: A random copolymerized polyamide resin is prepared by reacting a lactam of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.2-11 alkylene group optionally substituted with a substituent having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with a hexamethylenediamine-adipic acid salt while concentrating the aqueous solution of the salt to a concentration of at least 70% by weight and while maintaining a uniform reaction phase at all times by controlling the pressure over and the temperature of the reaction medium such that the hexamethylenediamine-adipic acid salt does not precipitate, said pressure being up to not greater than 2 kg/cm.sup.2 .multidot.G and said temperature being up to not greater than 150.degree. C., and then mixing in the solution of the lactam of formula (I) thereby effecting copolymerization and forming a polyamide resin having a relative viscosity measured by the sulfuric acid solution method (1% at 25.degree. C.) of 1.5 to 8.0.

Abstract: This invention relates to biologically degradable, partially crystalline block copolyester-polyamides comprising at least two chemically differently structured segments of which at least one is a polyester (PES) block or a copolyester (coPES) block, preferably with a number average molecular mass of 340 to 10,000 g/mole, and at least one is a polyamide (PA) block or a copolyamide (coPA) block, preferably with a number average molecular mass of 400 to 3,000 g/mole. In addition, copolyester-amide (coPEA) blocks can be employed, preferably with a number average molecular mass of 500 to 5,000 g/mole. The invention also relates to a polycondensation process for the manufacture of these partially crystalline block copolyester-polyamides. The block copolymers described are useful for the manufacture of fibers, foils, molded articles and hot melt-type adhesives. Molded components manufactured from the copolymers in accordance with the invention are biologically degradable and are capable of being composted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recycling (reprocessing) aqueous extract solutions obtained in the production of polyamides. The method for reprocessing the aqueous extract solutions obtained consists in that the aqueous extract solution is concentrated and polymerised, adding small amounts of dicarboxylic acid or polycarboxylic acid to the extract solution.

Abstract: A process for the batch preparation of polylaurolactam in the melt, involving introducing molten, anhydrous laurolactam at a temperature of up to 280.degree. C. into a pressure-resistant reactor heated externally to a maximum of 290.degree. C.; introducing steam having a temperature in the range from 170.degree. to 280.degree. C. and a pressure in the range from 8 to 64 bar into the laurolactam until the laurolactam is heated under pressure to a temperature in a range from 280.degree. to 290.degree. C., to give a ring opened precondensed product; and, if desired, after release of pressure, polycondensing the ring opened precondensed product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient process for the recovery of caprolactam from polycaprolactam-containing waste material. The present process for depolymerizing multi-component waste material comprising polycaprolactam and non-polycaprolactam components to form caprolactam comprises the step of: in the absence of added catalyst, contacting the multi-component waste material with superheated steam at a temperature of about 250.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. and at a pressure within the range of about 1 atm to about 100 atm and substantially less than the saturated vapor pressure of water at the temperature wherein a caprolactam- containing vapor stream is formed.The formed caprolactam may then be used in the production of engineered resins and fibers.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of polyamides from a mixture of at least one lactam and water and, if required, other monomer units and/or conventional additives and fillers under polyamide-forming conditions, where the mixture of the starting materials is heated in liquid phase in a first reaction zone until a conversion of at least 70% is reached, and undergoes adiabatic decompression and further polymerization in another reaction zone, wherein, in the first reaction zone, 0.5-7% by weight of water are employed, the temperature is increased to the range from 220.degree. to 310.degree. C., and polymerization is carried out until a conversion of at least 85% is reached and, in the second reaction zone, after the decompression further polymerization is carried out in the range from 215.degree. to 300.degree. C. without heat input.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the preparation of polyamides, equipment in which the polymerization process can be conducted, and process control methods for said polymerization process.

Abstract: Acrylate monomers such as methyl methacrylate, or other suitable monomers such as lactams, lactones, or acrylamides, are polymerized by reaction injection molding (RIM) utilizing a combination of organo group-4 catalysts, e.g., a neutral organo catalyst and a cationic organo catalyst. Preferably a Lewis acid is utilized which reacts with the neutral organo catalyst and forms in situ the cationic organo catalyst. Significant exotherms are rapidly generated and result in short cure times and typically in high conversions of at least 95 percent by weight of the monomer. The catalysts of the present invention give good control of tacticity and thus high Tg polymers such as syndiotactic methyl methacrylate can be produced.

Abstract: A laser-sinterable powder product has been prepared having unique properties which allow the powder to be sintered in a selective laser sintering machine to form a sintered part which is near-fully dense. For most purposes, the sintered part is indistinguishable from another part having the same dimensions made by isotropically molding the powder. In addition to being freely flowable at a temperature near its softening temperature, a useful powder is disclosed that has a two-tier distribution in which substantially no primary particles have an average diameter greater than 180 .mu.m, provided further that the number average ratio of particles smaller than 53 .mu.m is greater than 80%, the remaining larger particles being in the size range from 53 .mu.m to 180 .mu.m. A powder with slow recrystallization rates, as evidenced by non-overlapping or slightly overlapping endothermic and exothermic peaks in their differential scanning calorimetry characteristics for scan rates of on the order of 10.degree. C. to 20.

Abstract: A low molecular weight copolymer reaction product of a copolymer acid of an .alpha.-olefin and an unsaturated carboxylic acid, preferably an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and at least one amino acid compound. The present invention includes a method of preparing the copolymer reaction product. The reaction product has excellent compatibility with other polymers, particularly polyamides. The copolymer reaction product is useful in a method to flush water from pigments.

Abstract: A dyed or undyed polyamide substrate, preferably film, fiber, or an article manufactured therefrom, with excellent breaking strength retention and ultimate elongation retention, is prepared by reacting a sufficient number of amine and/or amide-forming functional groups of a hindered amine with the end groups of the polyamide precursor(s) at a temperature sufficient for polymerization to occur, to thereby bind the hindered amine to the polyamide and inhibit migration, leaching, and volatilization of the hindered amine. The hindered amine is represented by the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 comprises the amine or amide-forming functional group;R.sub.2 is alkyl; andR.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; alkyl of 1 to 3 carbons; and --OR.sub.4 in which R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and alkyl of 1 to 7 carbons.The light stabilized polyamide substrate has particular utility in flags, decorative banners, and personal flotation device covers.

Abstract: Proposed are an N-(.alpha.-acyloxyethyl) compound, e.g., (N-(.alpha.-acetoxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, which is a novel compound and can be converted into an industrially very important N-vinyl compound, e.g., N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, by a thermal decomposition reaction under relatively mild conditions as well as a method for the preparation of such an N-(.alpha.-acyloxyethyl) compound. The N-(.alpha.-acyloxyethyl) compound can be synthesized in a high yield by the addition reaction of an NH group-containing compound, e.g., 2-pyrrolidone, with a vinyl carboxylate, e.g., vinyl acetate, in the presence of an alkaline compound such as alkali metal hydroxides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of high molecular weight polyamide 6 (polycaprolactam).

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin film at least oriented in the transverse direction with minimized bowing phenomenon is provided. The thermal shrinkage stress in the transverse direction of the film satisfies the following formula I, and the thermal shrinkage factor of said film in the transverse direction at a temperature that is 40.degree. C. higher than the glass transition temperature of said resin is 5% or less:(.sigma..sub.2 /.sigma..sub.1).ltoreq.1.0 (I)wherein .sigma..sub.1 is the thermal shrinkage stress (kg/mm.sup.2) of the film in the transverse direction at a temperature that is 70.degree. C. higher than the glass transition temperature of said resin, and .sigma..sub.2 is the thermal shrinkage stress (kg/mm.sup.2) of the said film in the transverse direction at a temperature that is 80.degree. C. lower than the melting temperature of said resin.

Abstract: Polyetheresteramides, characterized in that they comprise both of the following repeating entities: ##STR1## in which X represents the residue of a polyamide-diacid oligomer with an Mn of between 300 and 8000, Y represents the residue of a polyetherdiol with an Mn of between 200 and 5000, and Z represents the residue of a polyetherdiamine with an Mn of between 200 and 5000, wherein the proportion by mass of the entities Z resulting from the condensation of the polyetherdiamine with respect to the total amount of the entities resulting from the polyetherdiol and polyetherdiamine, i.e. Z/(Z+Y), is between 1 and 50%. The polyetheresteramides according to the invention can be used as is and are suitable for the production of mouldings, extrudates, films, sheaths, or composite materials such as multi-layer film. They can also be mixed with other polymers and in particular with polyamides.

Abstract: A molecular composite material includes a liquid crystal polymer such as polyazomethine, a thermoplastic polymer such as a polyamide and a compatibilizing agent such as .epsilon.-caprolactam having at least one functional group showing compatibility and/or reactivity to the liquid crystal polymer and/or the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition based on a thermoplastic elastomer comprising polyether sequences in which the amount of matter extractable by ethanol is less than a value sufficient to prevent exudation. Thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer compositions according to the invention comprise polyether blocks and blocks selected from the group consisting of polyamide blocks and polyester blocks, said copolymer compositions incorporating a quantity of terpolymer, selected from the group consisting of ethylene/unsaturated acid ester/unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride terpolymer and ethylene/unsaturated acid ester/unsaturated glycidyl monomer terpolymer, sufficient to prevent exudation of polyamide, polyester, or polyether oligomers or impurities.

Abstract: A laser-sinterable powder product has been prepared having unique properties which allow the powder to be sintered in a selective laser sintering machine to form a sintered part which is near-fully dense. For most purposes, the sintered part is indistinguishable from another part having the same dimensions made by isotropically molding the powder. In addition to being freely flowable at a temperature near its softening temperature, a useful powder is disclosed that has a two-tier distribution in which substantially no primary particles have an average diameter greater than 180 .mu.m, provided further that the number average ratio of particles smaller than 53 .mu.m is greater than 80%, the remaining larger particles being in the size range from 53 .mu.m to 180 .mu.m. A powder with slow recrystallization rates, as evidenced by non-overlapping endothermic and exothermic peaks in their differential scanning calorimetry characteristics for scan rates of on the order of 10.degree. C. to 20.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economical process for the continuous hydrolytic polymerization of laurolactam.

Abstract: An acrylic/lactam monomer based polymeric resin is provided which has excellent weatherability, outstanding transparency and optical clarity, improved heath and solvent resistance, as well as improved impact strength. The acrylic/lactam monomer based polymeric resin is formulated by the catalytic activation at ambient temperature of a polymerization syrup which contains from about 300 to about 2970 parts by volume of an acrylic monomer, from about 30 to about 2700 parts by volume of a lactam monomer, from about 0.3 parts to about 40 parts by volume of a mercaptan chain transfer agent and from about 0.3 to about 40 parts by volume of a crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the acrylic monomer and the lactam monomer. To prevent further polymerization of the polymeric constituents of the polymerization syrup, as well as to enhance the shelf life of the polymerization syrup, an effective amount of a polymerization inhibitor and an ultraviolet light stabilizer are incorporated into the polymerization syrup.

Abstract: An acrylic/lactam monomer based polymeric resin is provided which has excellent weatherability, outstanding transparency and optical clarity, improved heath and solvent resistance, as well as improved impact strength. The acrylic/lactam monomer based polymeric resin is formulated by the catalytic activation at ambient temperature of a polymerization syrup which contains from about 300 to about 2970 parts by volume of an acrylic monomer, from about 30 to about 2700 parts by volume of a lactam monomer, from about 0.3 parts to about 40 parts by volume of a mercaptan chain transfer agent and from about 0.3 to about 40 parts by volume of a crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the acrylic monomer and the lactam monomer. To prevent further polymerization of the polymeric constituents of the polymerization syrup, as well as to enhance the shelf life of the polymerization syrup, an effective amount of a polymerization inhibitor and an ultraviolet light stabilizer are incorporated into the polymerization syrup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing materials, a process for mixing, finishing and de-volatizing polyamide to make 66 nylon and the 66 nylon made by this process. The apparatus comprises an agitator section having an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof; a transfer screw disposed adjacent the outlet of the agitator section; a spiral ribbon extending upwardly from the transfer screw; a ring disposed vertically above the spiral ribbon, at least one baffle disposed vertically above the spiral ribbon and connected to the ring and a wall-wiping spur connected to the ring. Preferably, the apparatus has two baffles--an upper one for pumping the material downwardly and a lower one for pumping the material upwardly. The diameter of each baffle is preferably about 80% of the diameter of the agitator section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing materials, a process for mixing, finishing and de-volatizing polyamide to make 66 nylon and the 66 nylon made by this process. The apparatus comprises an agitator section having an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof; a transfer screw disposed adjacent the outlet of the agitator section; a spiral ribbon extending upwardly from the transfer screw; a ring disposed vertically above the spiral ribbon, at least one baffle disposed vertically above the spiral ribbon and connected to the ring and a wall-wiping spur connected to the ring. Preferably, the apparatus has two baffles--an upper one for pumping the material downwardly and a lower one for pumping the material upwardly. The diameter of each baffle is preferably about 80% of the diameter of the agitator section.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of forming a polyamide composition having increased crystallization rate which comprises the steps of reducing the oligomeric polyamide content of said composition to less than 8% by weight of the composition, preferably with prior melt shearing, use of 1-2% nucleating filler e.g. talc and a mold release agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a branched fractal three dimensional porous polymer species which comprises rigid aromatic recurring units having electrophilic or nucleophilic reactive moieties on the exterior thereof. Another aspect of this invention relates to a star polymer comprising a polymeric core formed of the fractal polymers (FPS) of this invention having linear polymeric moieties grafted to the exterior thereof by way of residues formed by reaction between the reactive moieties on the exterior of the fractal polymer (FP) and complimentary reactive moieties on a linear polymer. Yet another aspect of this invention relates to polymeric composites comprising a polymer matrix having dispersed therein the star polymers of this invention.

Abstract: Polyimides serve as reinforcing rigid-backbone segments in nylon 6 copolymers. In a first embodiment, the copolymers are prepared from polyimides containing acylated caprolactam moieties pendant therefrom which provide sites for polycaprolactam grafts. In a second embodiment, polyimide oligomers end-capped with acyl-activated caprolactam rings permit the formation of block caprolactam copolymers that include polyimide reinforcing segments. The polyimide/nylon 6 copolymers have properties superior to those of nylon 6 and can also serve as compatibilizing agents.

Abstract: Poly(ether ester amides) consisting of 60% to 80% by weight of a polyamide block obtainable from the following monomers:20 to 40% by weight of caprolactam or aminocaproic acid30 to 50% by weight of 11-aminoundecanoic acid20 to 40% by weight of the adduct of hexamethylenediamine anddecanedicarboxylic acidthe total amount of these polyamide-forming monomers adding up to 100% by weight, and of 20 to 40% by weight of a polyether diol/dicarboxylic acid block obtainable from equimolar amounts of polyethylene glycol with an M.sub.n molecular weight of 400 to 2,000 and one or several saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids with 6 to 36 carbon atoms, methods for their synthesis, spunbonded nonwovens from these poly(ether ester amides) and the use of the poly(ether ester amides) for the heat sealing of textiles.

Abstract: A moldable and/or extrudable polymer which is useful for the manufacture of surgical devices such as sutures, staples, clips, etc., possesses structural units derived from a cyclic amide monomer containing oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen in the ring.

Abstract: A process for treating an impure thermoplastic polymer, including raw and recycled polymers, during extrusion to separate low molecular weight compounds therefrom, including: introducing a separating agent into plasticized impure thermoplastic polymer passing through a first high pressure zone, the low molecular weight compounds of the plasticized polymer being at least partially soluble in the separating agent; extracting at least a part of the low molecular weight compounds from the plasticized polymer into the separation agent during passage of the plasticized polymer through an extraction zone; removing the separating agent charged with low molecular weight compounds from the extruder as the plasticized polymer passes through a low pressure zone having a residual pressure, P, which is lower the introductory pressure, P.sub.e, and for which 1 bar.gtoreq.P.gtoreq.P.sub.

Abstract: The use of copolyamides as melt adhesive for heat sealing is disclosed. At least three monomer components are copolymerized in the copolyamide. These monomer components are selected from the following group: an equimolar mixture of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,6 salt), lauric acid lactam, 11-aminoundecanoic acid, an equimolar mixture of azelaic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,9 salt), an equimolar mixture of sebacic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,10 salt) and an equimolar mixture of dodecane dicarboxylic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,12 salt), the melting point of the copolyamide being lower than 140.degree. C. and at least 10% by weight of lauric acid lactam and/or 11-aminoundecanoic acid being copolymerized.

Abstract: A moldable and/or extrudable polymer which is useful for the manufacture of surgical devices such as sutures, staples, clips, etc., possesses structural units derived from a cyclic amide monomer containing oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen in the ring.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer which employs at least one base as a reactant, wherein the base is contacted with the polymerization reaction mixture incrementally during the polymerization.

Abstract: The new process for the preparation of polycondensates from polyamidoamines, epichlorohydrin and if appropriate polyamines, unreacted epichlorohydrin being removed by passing an inert gas through the reaction mixture, produces salt-free reaction products which have very low organic chlorine contents and at the same time very low values for dichloropropanol, chloropropanediol and epichlorohydrin, and are excellently suitable as auxiliaries for paper and textiles.

Abstract: A pultrusion processing method for long fiber-reinforced nylon which combines the nylon anionic ring-opening polymerization technology and the pultrusion processing method to manufacture long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic nylon composites. The method comprises the steps of forming an active caprolactam sodium salt catalyst composition by reacting melt nylon 6 monomer raw material, i.e., caprolactum, with sodium hydride, forming co-catalyst composition by melting caprolactam and a polymeric co-catalyst, then mixing the active caprolactum sodium salt catalyst composition and the co-catalyst composition in a continuous mixing device to obtain a reaction mixture with low viscosity. The mixture is then charged into a closed impregnating tank to impregnate preheated and dried reinforced fiber, which is immediately pulled into a hot mold for composite molding processing to form a finished product of long fiber-reinforced nylon composites.

Abstract: Liquid-melt aliphatic dicarboxylic acids tend to undergo undesirable discoloration during prolonged storage. The discoloration can be avoided by an addition of 0.1 to 3.0% by weight of a primary amine.

Abstract: Nylon carpet or textile yarn may be produced at an increased rate of throughput/spinneret hole by incorporating into nylon 6.6 polymer a secondary component which improves processability and lustre by suppressing spherulitic growth. The secondary component may be a co-monomer (e.g. hexamethylene diamine/isophthalic acid) which is incorporated during polymerisation to form a random co-polymer, a polymer (e.g. nylon 6) which is molecularly dispersed in the nylon 6.6 polymer without significant copolymerisation occurring or a metal salt (e.g. lithium chloride).

Abstract: Process for the ring opening polymerization of lactams to higher molecular weight polyamide polymers utilizing non-ionic polymerization catalyst base with a pKa of equal to or greater than 30, particularly certain strong, nitrogen and phosphorus containing non-ionic bases.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming poly(arylene sulfide) fibrids by flashing a solution which is comprised of a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer in a polar organic compound and which is essentially free of solids under suitable conditions to form a solidified product comprising poly(arylene sulfide) fibrids.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of poly(arylene sulphide) comprising the reaction of a dihalogenated aromatic compound with alkali metal sulphide in a polar organic solvent in the presence of a compound chosen from sulphimides and their alkali metal salts.

Abstract: Polyamides stabilized to hydrolysis at high temperatures, particularly in an acidic medium, containing 0.1 to 5% by weight based on polyamide of a polymeric aromatic carbodiimide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of cyclic amide alkoxylate compounds as additives in fuel compositions having a major amount of a mixture of hydrocarbons in the gasoline boiling range and a minor amount of one or more cyclic amide alkoxylate compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein x is from 2 to 20 and y is from 1 to 50. R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms or substituted hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms. R.sub.3 is hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms or substituted hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms and R.sub.4 is independently hydrocarbyl of 2 to 100 carbon atoms or substituted hydrocarbyl of 2 to 100 carbon atoms. R.sub.5 is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms, or substituted hydrocarbyl of 1 to 100 carbon atoms or acyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A moldable and/or extrudable polymer which is useful for the manufacture of surgical devices such as sutures, staples, clips, etc., possesses structural units derived from a cyclic amide monomer containing oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen in the ring.

Abstract: A higher order polyamide monofilament suture exhibits improved properties such as greater resistance to creep, greater knot security and greater chemical stability in aqueous environments.

Abstract: Star-shaped nylons with low melt viscosities and excellent mechanical properties, methods for their preparation, a novel tetrasubstituted carboxylic acid for use as a polymerization core therefor and methods for its preparation are provided.A star-shaped nylon has polymer chains emanating from 3 or more polymerization initiation groups which are substituents bonded to every other or more separated carbon atoms on an aromatic ring of an aromatic compound. The star-shaped nylon is produced by homogeneously mixing the aromatic compound with molten nylon monomer and polymerizing the nylon monomer with the respective polymerization initiation groups as the starting points. A novel tetrasubstituted carboxylic acid having a structure of 3,5,3',5'-biphenyltetracarboxylic acid is useful as a polymerization core for star-shaped nylons.

Abstract: A laser-sinterable powder product has been prepared having unique properties which allow the powder to be sintered in a selective laser sintering (SLS) machine to form a sintered part which is near-fully dense. For most purposes, the sintered part is indistinguishable from another part having the same dimensions made by isotropically molding the powder. In addition to being freely flowable at a temperature near its softening temperature, the powder has a two-tier distribution in which substantially no primary particles has an average diameter greater than 180.mu.m, provided further that the number average ratio of particles smaller than 53.mu.m is greater than 80%, the remaining larger particles being in the size range from 53.mu.m to 180.mu.m. When the powder is a semicrystalline synthetic resin having a number average molecular weight in the range from about 30,000 to 500,000; a molecular weight distribution M.sub.w /M.sub.

Abstract: Described are carboxyl-terminated polyetheramides of the formula: ##STR1## where R is a moiety from an alcohol or hydroxy compound having a valence of k; R' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R" is independently a straight or branched alkylene or aromatic moiety averaging from about 2 to 36 carbon atoms; x averages from about 2 to 100; z averages from about 20 to about 250; k averages from about 1 to 3; m is 0 or 1; and p is independently 5 to 11. Because the carboxyl-terminated polyetheramides are all carboxyl-terminated, they do not gel. They are expected to have good impact strength as well as differing solubilities depending on the polyetheramine incorporated.

Abstract: This invention concerns cyclic aromatic amide oligomer compositions and a process for preparing such cyclic oligomers.

Abstract: Molding materials are composed ofA) from 40 to 100% by weight of a copolyamide based ona.sub.1) from 1 to 20 mol%, based on the copoly- amide, of at least one monomer that contains at least one olefinic double bond (monomers a.sub.1) from the group of the.alpha..sub.1) olefinically unsaturated lactams,.alpha..sub.2) olefinically unsaturated aminocarboxylic acids,.alpha..sub.3) olefinically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids,.alpha..sub.4) olefinically unsaturated diamines, anda2) from 80 to 99 mol%, based on the copolyamide, of at least one monomer that contains no olefinic double bonds (monomers a2) from the group of the.beta..sub.1) lactams.beta..sub.2) aminocarboxylic acids,.beta..sub.3) dicarboxylic acids,.beta..sub.4) diamines, andB) from 0 to 35% by weight of an impact modifying rubber,C) from 0 to 50% by weight of a filler and/or reinforcing agent,D) from 0 to 20% by weight of a flame retardant, andE) from 0 to 10% by weight of further additives and processing aids.

Abstract: A method for the polymerization of Nylon 6 from caprolactam and water using a catalyst composition comprising a primary catalyst, which can be an alkali metal hypophosphite or an alkali-earth metal hypophosphite, and an organic phosphite as cocatalyst. The catalyst composition used in this invention is most useful when used in conjunction with the reactive extrusion technology which requires a very fast polymerization rate to take full advantage of this evolving technology.