Continuous polymerization and direct fiber spinning and systems for accomplishing same

US6465583B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Dominick A. Burlone · Asheville, US
• Matthew B. Hoyt · Arden, US
• Charles F. Helms, Jr. · Florence, US
• John A. Hodan · Arden, US
• Richard Kotek · Raleigh, US
• Carol W. Morgan · Asheville, US
• Randall A. Sferrazza · Asheville, US
• Fang Wang · Arden, US
• Otto M. Ilg · Asheville, US
• Terry D. Roberts · Pickens, US
• Ronald G. Morrow · Enka, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 13, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 15, 2002
• Expiry date: Jun 13, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D01F6/60
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of a polycaprolactam includes forming a reaction mixture by bringing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator into contact with one another, and then subjecting the reaction mixture to anionic polymerization reaction conditions to obtain a molten polycaprolactam. The molten polycaprolactam is the directly (i.e., without intermediate solidification) transferred to, and extruded through, a fiber-forming orifice of a spinneret to form a fiber thereof. One exemplary system to achieve such continuous anionic polymerization and melt-spinning of polycaprolactam includes a mixer for receiving and mixing at least two streams of liquid caprolactam respectively containing a polymerization initiator and co-initiator, and a reactor and melt-spinning apparatus downstream of the mixer. The reactor and melt-spinning apparatus most preferably is formed of multiple plates which establish a reactor zone having a flow path for the reaction mixture which is sized and configured to achieve a predetermined residence time of the reaction mixture therein, and a temperature control zone …