Continuous production of copolyamides based on a lactam, a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid , useful for the production of fibers, sheet and molded articles comprises a three step reaction sequence.

摘要

Continuous production of copolyamides (I) based on a lactam (A), a diamine (B) and a dicarboxylic acid (C) comprises a three step reaction sequence to form a polymer containing up to 10 wt.% material extractable by hot water at 95 deg C comprising (A), (B) or (C). The polymer is extracted with water to form the copolyamide product (I). A process for the continuous production of copolyamides (I) based on a lactam (A), a diamine (B) and a dicarboxylic acid (C) comprises conversion of a mixture comprising diamine (B), dicarboxylic acid (C) and water in a first reaction zone at 1.3x10<5>-2.5x10<5> Pa to a degree of conversion of at least 80 % (with respect to molar quantities of (B) and (C)) to form a polymer (D) at a temperature above the m.pt. of (D) and conversion of a mixture comprising lactam (A) and water in a second reaction zone at 5x10<5>-40x10<5> Pa to a degree of conversion of at least 80 % (with respect to molar quantity of (A)) to form a polymer (E) at above the m.pt. of (E) followed by reaction of (D) and (E) in a third reaction zone at 1x10<5>-1.5x10<5> to form a polymer (F) at above the m.pt. of (F) whereby (F) contains up to 10 wt.% material extractable by hot water at 95 deg C comprising (A), (B) and/or (C). The polymer (F) is extracted with water to form the copolyamide product (I). Independent claims are included for the copolyamide product (I) and fiber, sheet and molded articles produced using (I).