Nylons additives

In this experiment, the syntheses of two polyesters (Experiment 46A), nylon (Experiment 46B), and polystyrene (Experiment 46C) will be described. These polymers represent important commercial plastics. They also represent the main classes of polymers condensation (linear polyester, nylon), addition (polystyrene), and cross-linked (Glyptal polyester). Infrared spectroscopy is used in Experiment 46D to determine the structure of polymers. 

Nylon 6, 11, and 12. This class of polymers is polymerized by addition reactions of ring compounds that contain both acid and amine groups on the monomer. 

Most of the polymer s characteristics stem from its molecular stmcture, which like POE, promotes solubiUty in a variety of solvents in addition to water. It exhibits Newtonian rheology and is mechanically stable relative to other thermoplastics. It also forms miscible blends with a variety of other polymers. The water solubiUty and hot meltable characteristics promote adhesion in a number of appHcations. PEOX has been observed to promote adhesion comparable with PVP and PVA on aluminum foil, cellophane, nylon, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(ethylene terephthalate), and in composite systems improved tensile strength and Izod impact properties have been noted. 

The physical properties of these fibers are compared with those of natural fibers and other synthetic fibers in Table 1. Additional property data may be found in compilations of the properties of natural and synthetic fibers (1). Apart from the polyolefins, acryhcs and nylon fibers are the lightest weight fibers on the market. Modacryhcs are considerably more dense than acryhcs, with a density about the same as wool and polyester. 

The materials of attention in promoting fire safety are generally organic polymers, both natural, such as wood (qv) and wool (qv), and synthetic, nylon (see Polyamides), vinyl, and mbber (qv). Less fire-prone products generally have either inherently more stable polymeric stmctures or fire-retardant additives. 

Red Phosphorus. This aHotropic form of phosphoms is relatively nontoxic and, unlike white phosphoms, is not spontaneously flammable. Red phosphoms is, however, easily ignited. It is a polymeric form of phosphoms having thermal stabiUty up to ca 450°C. In finely divided form it has been found to be a powerful flame-retardant additive (26,45—47). In Europe, it has found commercial use ia molded nylon electrical parts ia a coated and stabilized form. Handling hazards and color have deterred broad usage. The development of a series of masterbatches by Albright Wilson should facihtate further use. 

In the calendering method, a PVC compound which contains plasticizers (qv) (60—120 phr), pigments (qv) (0—10 phr), fillers (qv) (20—60 phr), stabilizers (10—30 phr), and other additives, is kneaded with calender roUs at 150—200°C, followed by extmsion between clearance-adjusted roUs for bonding onto the substrate. This method is employed for products with thick PVC layers, ie, of 0.05—0.75 mm thickness. The main plasticizer used is di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DOP). For filler to reduce cost, calcium carbonate is mainly used. A woven or knit fabric made of cotton, rayon, nylon, polyester, and their blend fiber is used as substrate. For foamed vinyl-coated fabrics, the bonded materials are heated in an oven to decompose the foam-blowing... 

Without other alternatives, the carboxyalkyl radicals couple to form dibasic acids HOOC(CH)2 COOH. In addition, the carboxyalkyl radical can be used for other desired radical reactions, eg, hydrogen abstraction, vinyl monomer polymerization, addition of carbon monoxide, etc. The reactions of this radical with chloride and cyanide ions are used to produce amino acids and lactams employed in the manufacture of polyamides, eg, nylon. 

Lewis acids, such as the haUde salts of the alkaline-earth metals, Cu(I), Cu(II), 2inc, Fe(III), aluminum, etc, are effective catalysts for this reaction (63). The ammonolysis of polyamides obtained from post-consumer waste has been used to cleave the polymer chain as the first step in a recycle process in which mixtures of nylon-6,6 and nylon-6 can be reconverted to diamine (64). The advantage of this approach Hes in the fact that both the adipamide [628-94-4] and 6-aminohexanoamide can be converted to hexarnethylenediarnine via their respective nitriles in a conventional two-step process in the presence of the diamine formed in the original ammonolysis reaction, thus avoiding a difficult and cosdy separation process. In addition, the mixture of nylon-6,6 and nylon-6 appears to react faster than does either polyamide alone. 

Combinations of two or more of the above steps into consecutive processes, such as spin—draw or spin—draw—texture, reduces manufacturing costs. In addition to continuous-fHament yam, nylon is also offered in staple, tow, and flock forms. Staple is made by cutting crimped continuous-fHament yam into 3—20-cm lengths. In manufacturing, tow is made by combining many yam ends, either flat or crimped, to give a total tow size of 6—111 ktex. 

Antistats such as polyoxyethylenes (151,152) and A/-alkyl polycarbonamide (153) are added to nylon to reduce static charge and improve moisture transport and soil release in fabrics. These additives also alter the luster of fiber spun from bright polymer. Static reduction in carpets is achieved primarily by the use of fibers modified with conductive carbon black (see Antistatic agents Carbon, carbon black). 

In addition to the semicrystalline nylons, which comprise the vast majority of commercial resins, nylon is also available in an amorphous form that gives rise to transparency and improved toughness at the expense of high temperature properties and chemical stress crack resistance. Table 2 shows the properties of some different polyamide types. 

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