Caprolactam-Laurolactam (Nylon 6/12) Copolymers: Synthesis and Characterization

The paper present the synthesis of a series of nylons as constituent polymers of parts obtained by rotational molding via activated anionic copolymerization of caprolactam with laurolactam. The initial mold temperature (initial polymerization temperature) was kept constant at 160° for all experiments. The initial laurolactamn content influence was investigated in terms of nylon yield, viscosity, density, melting temperature, degree of crystallinity, water absorption, impact strength and flexural modulus. The characteristics of copolymers were compared with those of the polyamide 6. From X-ray diffraction patterns and FT JR spectra it was found that the obtained polyamides are predominantly in the α-form.