Polymerization of lactams—IX. Thermal degradation of anionic polymerizates of 6-caprolactam—changes of the number of polymer molecules at the initial stage of the process

• Published in: European polymer journal 1976, Vol.12 (3), p.155-158
• Main Authors: Fiala, F., Králíček, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-3057(76)90045-8

When heating anionic polymerizates of 6-caprolactam, the polymerization degree of the product decreases. The instantaneous rate of the process depends on the concentration of catalytic components, temperature, and heating time. Initially, the process occurs as a consequence of splitting amide-bonds through disproportionation reactions induced by the presence of strong base. However, the whole course of the process is also governed by condensation reactions of the growth centres where the base is consumed. There is a relationship between the time at 250° and number of polymer molecules. The relationship corresponds to experimental data for the concentration range of catalytic components of interest (lithio-caprolactam) and for initiator-activator ratios between 0·5 and 3 d 2n dt 2 + const. dn dt =0. This relationship was employed to determine relations between the rate of forming new polymer molecules and that of decay of the strong base.