Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited

Jiro Horikawa

Masahiro Niwano

Takenobu Kanazawa

Saegusa Takeo

Takeo Saegusa

A method for producing a polyether-polyamide block copolymer is disclosed, comprising copolymerizing, in the presence of an anionic polymerization catalyst, a lactam and a polyether prepolymer presented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon residual group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon residual group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 4 to 450. The polyester prepolymer is prepared by reacting a polyoxyalkylene having two terminal hydroxy groups with an N-chlorocarbonyl lactam. The polyether-polyamide block according to the invention has high impact strength and is substantially colorless.

Method of producing a polyether prepolymer

A process for producing a polyamide block copolymer is disclosed, which comprises suspension polymerizing a lactam in an organic suspending medium in the presence of an anionic polymerization catalyst and a polymer activator. The polyamide block copolymer obtained has a granular or powdery form easy to handle.

Process for producing polyamide block copolymer

A novel star block copolymer represented by the general formula as shown below and a process for the production thereof are described. The copolymer has superior physical properties, particularly impact strength and, furthermore, is reduced in coloration. Thus the copolymer can find numerous uses; for example, it can be used in preparation of fibers, foams, automotive parts, and electrical components. The copolymer is produced by copolymerizing a star-shaped polyether prepolymer and a lactam, said prepolymer being prepared by reacting a star-shaped polyoxyalkylene having at least 3 terminal hydroxy groups and an N-chlorocarbonyl lactam, in the presence of an anionic polymerization catalyst. ##STR1## In this formula, all the symbols are as defined hereinbefore.

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Ehime, Japan

Jiro Horikawa