56

POLYAMIDE RESINS
The pH at neutrality (or inflection point on electrometric deter-
mination) is between 7.5 and 7.8 for most of the salts. With the
nylon-6,6 salt, it is 7.63 0.3, The water solution of the nylon salt
is concentrated in an evaporator, then heated under pressure in an
autoclave to an ultimate temperature between 250 and 300C while
the vessel is gradually vented to allow the escape of steam. Both
water from the solution and water formed from dehydration of the
salt are released. The salt dissociates and amide groups are formed.
The latter stages of the reaction are conducted under an atmosphere
of pure nitrogen or hydrogen in order to prevent oxidation of the resin
at high temperatures.
Finally, the reaction mixture is held under reduced pressure to
help bring about final stages of condensation to produce a polymer
of high molecular weight.
After the polymer has been formed, it is extruded onta a casting
wheel and cooled with a water spray or otherwise cooled for pelletiz-
ing. The solid is chopped or pelletized into small pieces, and these
Autoclaves indu Pont nylon plant. In thesevesselsthe processof "polymerization"
takes place. Plants.are located at Seaford, DeL, Martinsville, Va., Richmond, Va.,
and Chattanooga, Tenn. (Courtesy E. 1, du Pont Nemours &Co.)
MANUFACTURlNG PROCESS FOR POLYAMlDE RESlNS 57
are blended with material from other production batches. The flake
nylon will have a moisture content near 1% at this stage.
1t is also possible to prepare the polymer in an enert, high-boiling
solvent such as phenol, cresols, or xylenols." The solvent need not
be a phenolic compound although these serve as excellent nylon
solvents. The solvent is later removed, usually by distillation methods,
and the polymer is formed into chips as in the other processes.
. The molecular weight of nylon-6,6 is controlled by an added chain
stopper, or "stabilizer," to block off chain growth. A monobasic
acid may be used for this purpose.""
Catalysts which may be used in nylon manufacture include oxides
and carbonates of alkaline nature, halogen salts of polyvalent metals
and acids.
A flow diagram, as outlined in the Du Pont brochure on "Zytel"
nylon 8, showing this manufacturing process, is reproduced in Figure
4.1.
Carothers'" own description of the nylon process does not differ in
essentials from the current methods.
Figure 4.1.
(VAP'O .. TOIt
C~: ~: : Q: ~ "&AY
O C H O " I .
O o n l l
.ZYnL.~
Nn O N
MO LD, .
'OWDt.
(Courtesy E. l. du Pont de Nemours &Co.)