| Abstract: | Caprolactam has been polymerised by sodium hydride in the presence of isocyanate terminated polymers. The latter participate in the initiation reaction and allow the preparation of materials where the prepolymer can amount to 50% of the product. There is evidence that block copolymers are formed, and the properties of polycaprolactam are considerably modified by the use of such activators. Styrene-butadiene or, particularly, caprolactone based isocyanates give materials having properties similar to the harder thermoplastic polyurethanes. The dependence of properties on the nature and amount of the polymeric activators, and the conditions of preparation and processing, have been investigated. Crystalline morphology has also been examined. Tensile strengths of 50 MN/m2 with 550% elongation at break are readily attainable with these materials. |
