Continuous polymerization of caprolactam in a modular intermeshing corotating twin screw extruder integrated with continuous melt spinning of polyamide 6 fiber: Influence of screw design and process conditions

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Abstract
The continuous anionic polymerization of caprolactam to polyamide‐6 in a modular, intermeshing, corotating twin screw extruder was investigated. Caprolactam was polymerized by anionic polymerization techniques under a range of processing conditions, including different screw configurations, temperature profiles, screw speeds, and throughputs. Studies were also made of melt spinning polyamide 6 into oriented filaments. The polyamide‐6 melt spun filaments were characterized using birefringence and wide angle X‐ray diffraction. Uniaxial stress measurements of the fibers were obtained and are reported. The results for the melt spun filaments compare favorably with the previous literature. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.