Polyamides chemicals, resistance

Carboxyhc acids react with aryl isocyanates, at elevated temperatures to yield anhydrides. The anhydrides subsequently evolve carbon dioxide to yield amines at elevated temperatures (70—72). The aromatic amines are further converted into amides by reaction with excess anhydride. Ortho diacids, such as phthahc acid [88-99-3J, react with aryl isocyanates to yield the corresponding A/-aryl phthalimides (73). Reactions with carboxyhc acids are irreversible and commercially used to prepare polyamides and polyimides, two classes of high performance polymers for high temperature appHcations where chemical resistance is important. Base catalysis is recommended to reduce the formation of substituted urea by-products (74). 

Nylon. Nylons comprise a large family of polyamides with a variety of chemical compositions (234,286,287). They have excellent mechanical properties, as well as abrasion and chemical resistance. However, because of the need for improved performance, many commercial nylon resins are modified by additives so as to improve toughness, heat fabrication, stabiUty, flame retardancy, and other properties. 

Aramid Fibers. Aromatic polyamide fibers exhibiting a range of mechanical properties are available from several manufacturers, perhaps the best known being Du Pont s proprietary fiber Kevlar. These fibers possess many unique properties, such as high specific tensile strength and modulus (see Fig. 4). Aramid fibers have good chemical resistance to water, hydrocarbons, and solvents. They also show excellent flame retardant characteristics (see High PERFORMANCE fibers Polyamdes). 

The bisphenol A-derived epoxy resins are most frequendy cured with anhydrides, aUphatic amines, or polyamides, depending on desired end properties. Some of the outstanding properties are superior electrical properties, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and adhesion. Conventional epoxy resins range from low viscosity Hquids to soHd resins. 

Variation in the polyamide block nature and length is a prime influence causing variations in T, specific gravity and chemical resistance. 

Elevated temperatures are necessary for cure and the chemical resistance of the laminates is inferior to those from unmodified resins. Because of problems in handling, the polyamides have found only limited use with epoxy resins, mainly for coating and adhesive applications. 

For very difficult to adhere bag substrates, such as poly-coated bags, or where extreme chemical resistance is needed, polyamide hot melts are used. These adhesives are very lightly formulated if at all. They provide soft adhesives with outstanding heat and chemical resistance, but at roughly double the price. 

Aliphatic polyamines, amine adducts and polyamides react with epoxide resins at normal temperatures to give complexes with outstanding chemical resistance. Paints based on this type of reaction must be supplied in two separate containers, one containing the epoxide resin and the other the curing agent , the two being mixed in prescribed proportions immediately before use. 

Chemical resistance is generally good to limited at room temperature versus dilute bases and weak acids, oils, greases, hydrocarbons, certain chlorinated solvents, cosmetics, aldehydes, some alcohols, ketones, esters, glycols. Polyamides are attacked by organic and mineral acids, oxidizing agents, concentrated bases, phenols. 

Polyamide-imides are appreciated for good mechanical and electrical properties high service temperatures (up to 220°C with possible long service times at 260°C) rigidity good creep behaviour fatigue endurance low shrinkage and moisture uptake inherent flame retardancy chemical resistance usability down to -196°C. 

Polycarbonate is blended with a number of polymers including PET, PBT, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS) rubber, and styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer. The blends have lower costs compared to polycarbonate and, in addition, show some property improvement. PET and PBT impart better chemical resistance and processability, ABS imparts improved processability, and SMA imparts better retention of properties on aging at high temperature. Poly(phenylene oxide) blended with high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) (polybutadiene-gra/f-polystyrene) has improved toughness and processability. The impact strength of polyamides is improved by blending with an ethylene copolymer or ABS rubber. 

In comparison with other thermoplastics, polyamides have superior mechanical properties, vibration and chemical resistance, and high dielectric properties. The superior antifrictional characteristics of cast PA-6 allow us to use it for bearings instead of bronze, cast iron, steel, babbit, reinforced phenolic compounds, and other materials. 

Traditional polymers for separations in water have a limited chemical resistance and are not useful for solvent separations. Some may be applicable in nonaggressive solvents such as methanol and ethanol due to crosslinking, additives or additional interlayers, but not in any other solvent modified polyamide membranes and poly (ethersulfone) membranes are typical examples. 

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