Isothermal anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactam to polyamide‐6: Kinetic modeling and application for production process

The in-situ anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam (ε-CL) to polyamide-6 enables the production large, near net shape fiber reinforced composites by thermoplastic resin transfer molding. For propagation flow front as well for progress solidification, simultaneous processes and crystallization corresponding reaction kinetics play a central role. To investigate these processes, preparation reactive mixtures consisting ε-CL, activator, initiator was carried out under inert atmosphere. A solvent-based activator were used, which hardly have been studied in literature so far. In analogy molding process, quasi-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry measurements performed at various temperatures released enthalpy degree determined. From isothermal measurements, two-stage semi-empirical kinetic model established system first time, reproduces experimental data with high precision. apply obtained process it finally correlated dielectric sensor data, allowing real-time prediction total conversion.