| Abstract: | A generally applicable stoichiometric and kinetic model was developed for the polymerization of dimer fatty acids with ethylenediamine. The rate equations were second‐order before 90% conversion and were used between 405 and 475 K. The parameters of the rate equations were determined with nonlinear regression analysis. A comparison of the model predictions and the experimental data showed that the approach was useful in predicting the polymerization kinetics. The equilibrium constant changed from 3.175 to 7.311. The frequency factor and activation energy for the forward rate constant before 90% conversion were 2,716,894 kg mol?1 min?1 and 66.7 kJ mol?1, respectively. The equilibrium constant was independent of the temperature at frequency factor and activation energy values of 74.4 and 9.7 kJ mol?1, respectively. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2504–2513, 2004 |
