Preparation of polyether ester amides

US4345064A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Chemische Werke Huels Aktiengesellschaft · US

Inventor

• Salih Mumcu · Marl, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 25, 1980
• Grant date: Aug 17, 1982
• Expiry date: Aug 25, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08G69/44
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing polyether amides of polyether ester amides by polycondensing polyamides bearing carboxyl end groups with polyethers bearing hydroxyl end groups and/or amino end groups at ordinary or reduced pressure, in the presence of catalysts, the polyamides bearing the end groups and the polyethers bearing the end groups first being treated at temperatures from about 200.degree. to 300.degree. C. at a water vapor pressure of 5 to 25 bars and with mechanical agitation, and wherein upon removing the water by expansion, the polycondensation is carried to completion. The present invention differs from the prior art in that the polyamides bearing carboxyl groups being used are prepared by melting a mixture of lactams having at least 8 C atoms with dicarboxylic acids in the molar ratio of 100/1 to 100/15 in the presence of a catalyst, in an inert gas atmosphere, at atmospheric pressure and in the absence of water at temperatures from 230.degree. to 300.degree. C., heating in the molten form lasting until the lactams have been reacted at least 98% to form a prepolymer. Water and the polyethers are then added to the prepolymer, the autoclave is closed, and the process continued…