INVESTIGATIONS ON THE SIMULATION OF THE REACTIVE EXTRUSION OF NYLON-6

In this article, a novel simulation of the processing conditions of th e anionic ring-opening polymerization of nylon 6 in a counterrotating twin-screw extruder by use of a modified Haake Rheometer run at elevat ed temperatures is described. Experimental results for several combina tions of processing parameters are presented. General relations betwee n processing parameters, conversion ratio, and molecular weight of the product are observed. These observations can be used in the eventual scaling up of investigations to an actual twin-screw extruder. (C) 199 5 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.