Simulation of reversible nylon-6,6 polymerization

The forward and reverse rate constants for nylon-6,6 polymer formation have been determined through curve fitting of experimental data by Ogata¹. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) in a batch reactor is simulated and determined numerically for up to eleven hours of reversible polymerization. The MWD obtained differs from Flory's distribution due to reversibility of the reaction. The deviation increases as the time of polymerization progresses. The polydispersity index increases asymptotically to a value of 1.8 in contrast with the value of 2 for irreversible polymerization. This asymptotic value is found to increase as the reaction temperature increases and reduce as the initial water content increases.