Hydrolytic polymerization of epsilon-caprolactam

US4204049A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Paul Matthies · Heidelberg, DE
• Joachim Kunde
• Werner Hoerauf · Ludwigshafen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 12, 1979
• Grant date: May 20, 1980
• Expiry date: Feb 12, 1999

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08G69/16
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An improved process for the continuous polymerization of .epsilon.-caprolactam in the presence of water as initiator in a vertical downward-flow tubular reactor, in which the .epsilon.-caprolactam is partially polymerized at elevated temperature in a first, mechanically agitated reaction zone and is further polymerized in further reaction zones to the desired degree of polymerization. Poly-.epsilon.-caprolactam is discharged in the form of a melt. The polymerization is carried out at a gauge pressure of from 0.2 to 0.9 bar, constant in all reaction zones. The temperature in the first reaction zone is maintained according to the relationship t.ltoreq.265+43 p .degree.C., where p is the numerical value of the gauge pressure in bars which relationship is subject to the condition that the temperature be within the range of 260.degree. to 295.degree. C.