Nylon 66 polymers. I. Molecular weight and compositional distribution

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Abstract
Results from characterization of melt‐polymerized nylon 66 by various solution property measurements are reported and employed in analysis of typical molecular weight and compositional distributions for these systems. Critical attention is paid to application of standard procedures including light scattering, viscosity, membrane osmometry and other colligative property measurements in arriving at satisfactory specification of polymer molecular weight averages. Particular consideration is given to polymers extending appreciably beyond the lower and higher limits in molecular weight normally encountered. The conclusions drawn are: (1) in the range of number‐average molecular weights less than about 25 000, nylon 66 as ordinarily prepared by melt condensation consists principally of linear species approximating the “most probable” distribution; (2) small amounts of cyclic oligomers are present in all samples: (3) increase in the extent of the melt polycondensation to progressively higher stages is accompanied by secondary reactions and the formation of branched components terminating ultimately in crosslinked, insoluble gels. Intrinsic viscosity–molecular weight relationships in seven solvents, applicable to nylon polymers meeting the requirements of (1) above, are derived.