Synthesis and Characterization of Grafted Copolymers of Aromatic Polyimides and ε-Caprolactam

Anionic polymerization of epsilon-caprolactam was performed in the presence of only 5 wt % of aromatic polyimides having five- and six-membered in-tide cycles and bearing hexafluoroisopropylidene, ether, fluorene, siloxane, phthalide, Or SO3H- groups, both in the polymer backbone and as side moieties. The synthesized new copolymers were fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermomechanical analysis, dilatometry, and X-ray diffraction. Tough and frictional properties of the obtained copolymers were estimated as well. It was found that on the selection of polyimide activator it is possible to gain the desirable control over the polymer properties, namely the gel-fraction content, phase composition, compression modulus, notched Izod impact strength, temperature of frictional contact, friction coefficient, etc. These investigations will facilitate the choice of the optimum macromolecular activator for the modification of both the synthetic method and the properties of the commercial polycaproamide. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 577-586, 2009