Process for the preparation of aliphatic-aromatic poly-amide-imides in the absence of phenols

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of aliphatic-aromatic polyamide-imides in the absence of phenols.

It is known that aliphatic-aromatic polyamide-imides are obtained by 
reacting isocyanates with lactams and/or polyamides and cyclic 
polycarboxylic acid anhydrides (German Patent Specifications Nos. 
1,770,202 and 1,956,512). The reaction is in general carried out in 
phenolic solvents, for example technical grade cresol mixtures. 
Aliphatic-aromatic polyamide-imides have recently found use in industry, 
in particular in the electrical insulation sector, as plastics which are 
stable towards changes in temperature. 
It has now been found that aliphatic-aromatic polyamide-imides can be 
prepared without using phenols if lactams are employed in excess. 
The invention thus relates to a process for the preparation of 
aliphatic-aromatic polyamide-imides from organic polyisocyanates and 
polycarboxylic acid anhydrides and, if appropriate, polyamides, 
characterised in that lactams are used as the reaction medium. 
In the reaction according to the invention, the lactams as the reaction 
medium have the function of a reaction component and of a solvent. 
Surprisingly, in spite of the high stoichiometric excess of a few hundred 
mole per cent, the lactam is incorporated into the polyamide-imide in a 
proportion of only about 20-120 mole per cent, based on the imide groups, 
depending on the reaction conditions. Even at reaction temperatures above 
200.degree. C., the polymerisation to be expected of the lactam is in 
general only insignificant. 
The reaction products, that is to say the aliphatic-aromatic 
polyamide-imides dissolved in the lactams, can be further processed in 
this form and, for example, stoved to give lacquer films. The use of 
phenolic solvents necessary in the established industrial process is thus 
avoided. On precipitation, polyamide-imides which are free from phenols 
are obtained and, for example, these can be applied as lacquers from 
suitable solvents or can be pressed to shaped articles. 
The reaction is carried out at a temperature of 0.degree. to 400.degree. 
C., preferably 30.degree.to 250.degree. C. 
Polyisocyanates such as are described, for example, in DE-OS (German 
Published Specification) No. 1,770,202 can preferably be used for the 
reaction according to the invention. 
Substances which are particularly preferred are phosgenated condensates of 
aniline and formaldehyde with polyphenylene-methylene structures, 
technical grade mixtures of toluylene diisocyanates, m-phenylene 
diisocyanate and symmetric compounds, such as 
4,4'-diisocyanato-diphenylmethane, 4,4'-diisocyanato-diphenylether, 
naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, 
4,4'-diisocyanato-diphenyl-dimethylmethane, analagous hydro-aromatic 
diisocyanates, such as 4,4'-diisocyanato-dicyclohexylmethane, and 
aliphatic diisocyanates with 2-12C atoms, such as hexamethylene 
diisocyanate and diisocyanates derived from isophorone, and mixtures 
thereof. 
Instead of the isocyanates, it is also possible to use compounds which 
react as isocyanates under the reaction conditions, preferably the 
addition compounds of alcohols and lactams, for example of alcohol 
mixtures and caprolactam or of mixtures of the amines corresponding to the 
isocyanates and aliphatic and aromatic carbonic acid esters, for example 
diethyl carbonate, diphenyl carbonate and ethylene carbonate, which can 
also already be partly reacted with one another, or polycarbodiimides and 
isocyanato-isocyanurates from the polyisocyanates described. 
Monofunctional isocyanates, such as, for example, phenyl isocyanate, tolyl 
isocyanate, cyclohexyl isocyanate, stearyl isocyanate, 
.omega.,.omega.,.omega.-trifluoroethyl isocyanate and 
3,5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl isocyanate or the corresponding amines, can 
also be used to regulate the molecular weight. 
Acid anhydrides which can be used for the reaction according to the 
invention are cyclic polycarboxylic acid anhydrides, such as are described 
in DE-OS (German Published Specification) No. 170,202 and DE-OS (German 
Published Specification) No. 2,542,706, preferably polycarboxylic acid 
anhydrides of the general formula (I) 
##STR1## 
in which R.sup.1 denotes an optionally substituted aliphatic C.sub.2 
-C.sub.20 radical, cycloaliphatic C.sub.5 -C.sub.10 radical, an 
aliphatic-aromatic radical with 1 to 10C atoms in the aliphatic part and 6 
to 10C atoms in the aromatic part or an aromatic radical with 6 to 10C 
atoms, which, in addition to the cyclic anhydride group, carries at least 
one other cyclic anhydride group or a carboxyl group. 
Examples which may be mentioned are butanetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, 
cyclopentanetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, pyromellitic acid 
dianhydride, benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride and, 
particularly preferably, trimellitic acid anhydride. 
Instead of the carboxylic acid anhydrides, it is also possible to use 
derivatives, such as the alkyl esters or phenyl esters, or the 
polycarboxylic acids themselves, which are converted into the acid 
anhydrides in the course of the reaction. 
Carboxylic acids which react monofunctionally under the reaction 
conditions, such as, for example, phthalic acid or its anhydride, benzoic 
acid or palmitic acid, and which can furthermore be substituted by alkyl 
or halogen, such as fluorine or chlorine, are used to regulate the 
molecular weight. 
Examples of suitable lactams for the process according to the invention are 
those of the general formula (II) 
##STR2## 
in which x denotes an integer from 2 to 20, preferably from 5 to 11. 
Caprolactam is preferably employed. 
Polyamides such as are described in DE-AS (German Published Specification) 
No. 1,956,512, for example polycaproamide (Nylon 6), polydodecanoic acid 
amide and polyamides of dicarboxylic acids, such as, for example, adipic 
acid, sebacic acid, oxalic acid, dibutylmalonic acid, isophthalic acid and 
terephthalic acid, and diamines, such as ethylenediamine, 
hexamethylenediamine, decamethylenediamines and m- and p-phenylenediamine, 
can be used in combination with the lactams. Polycaproamide (Nylon 6) and 
polyhexamethyleneadipamide (Nylon 66) are preferably used. 
The polyamide-imides prepared according to the invention can be identified 
by their IR spectra, in which the characteristic bands for amides and 
imides appear. 
The higher molecular weight amide-imides exhibit a solution viscosity of 
200-200,000 mPas, preferably 1,000 to 50,000 mPas, determined on a 30% 
strength solution in dimethylformamide or cresol at 25.degree. C. 
For carrying out the reaction according to the invention, the components 
are kept at temperatures of 0.degree.-400.degree. C. for a few minutes up 
to several hours. The end of the reaction manifests itself by the 
subsidence of the evolution of gas and the increase in viscosity. It is 
sometimes advantageous to carry out the reaction in several stages or to 
add the individual components in a different sequence or at various 
temperatures. Thus, for example, some or all of the acid anhydride or 
isocyanate can be heated to temperatures up to 200.degree. C. with the 
lactam and, after cooling and after introduction of the remaining 
components, the reaction can be carried out in the customary manner. It is 
furthermore possible, for example, to prepare an adduct or condensate in a 
first stage, which is then converted into the high molecular weight 
condensation product at elevated temperatures, for example after 
application, on a metal sheet or a wire, if necessary after precipitation 
and, if appropriate, resolution. Suitable precipitating agents are 
methanol and water. A further embodiment comprises preparing a 
precondensate in a first stage and then concentrating the polymer and 
bringing the condensation reaction to completion in an evaporation 
extruder optionally in vacuo. The amount of lactam incorporated into the 
polyamide is increased by increasing the temperature and the reaction 
time. 
In some cases, it is advisable to carry out the reaction under an inert 
protective gas, such as nitrogen or argon. The reaction can be carried out 
by a continuous or discontinuous procedure. 
In general, one equivalent of carboxylic acid or cyclic carboxylic acid 
anhydride per equivalent of isocyanate and, if appropriate, 0.3-3 
equivalents of a polyamide per equivalent of carboxylic acid anhydride are 
reacted, but substantial deviations from these proportions are also 
possible. 
The lactam is in general employed such that an amount of 5-90% by weight, 
preferably 15-75% by weight, based on the sum of acid anhydride and 
lactam, results. 
The condensation products can furthermore be modified by also using and 
incorporating, for example, polyols, polycarboxylic acids and polyamides, 
polyhydantoines, polycarboxamide esters, polyesters and polyethers. 
Examples which may be mentioned are ethylene glycol, isophthalic acid and 
trimesic acid, hexamethylolmelamine, polyalkoxymethylene-melamines, 
polyesters of terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol and glycerol and 
polyhydantoines of bisglycine esters and isocyanates. 
The reaction according to the invention can be influenced by catalysts, for 
example by amines, such as triethylamine, 1,4-diazabicyclo-(2,2,2)octane, 
4-dimethylaminopyridine, 4-pyrrolo-(1)-hydrin, N-ethyl-morpholine and 
N-methylimidazole, and by organic and inorganic metal compounds, in 
particular of iron, lead, zinc, tin, copper, cobalt and titanium, such as 
iron-III chloride, cobalt acetate, lead oxide, lead acetate, tin octoate, 
dibutyltin dilaurate, copper acetyl-acetonate, titaniumtetrabutylate, 
alkali metal phenolates and sodium cyanide, and by phosphorous compounds, 
such as trialkylphosphine and methylphospholine oxide. 
The polyamide-imides according to the invention are distinguished by a 
particularly high stability towards changes in temperature and are 
suitable as adhesives, lacquers, films and shaped articles. Their 
properties can be varied within wide limits for the various fields of use 
by addition of fillers, pigments and low and high molecular weight 
components.

EXAMPLE 1 
750 g. of 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenyl methane are added in portions, 
according to the exothermic reaction, to 1,740 g of caprolactam at 
120.degree. C., and 576 g of trimellitic acid anhydride are then 
introduced. The mixture is then heated up and stirred for in each case 2 
hours at 160.degree., 70.degree., 190.degree., 205.degree. and 220.degree. 
C. Condensation to give the polyamide-imide is effected with carbon 
dioxide being split off. 725 g of caprolactam are then distilled off under 
100 mbar. The reaction product is obtained as a clear melt which has a 
solids content of about 70% by weight and solidifies to a brittle resin on 
cooling. The IR spectrum contains the bands characteristic of imides at 
1715 and 1775 cm.sup.-1. The viscosity .eta..sup.25 of a 15% strength 
solution of the polyamide-imide in cresol is 860 mPas. 3%, based on the 
solids content, of dodecanelactam is added to a sample of the resin and 
the mixture is evaporated in a stream of nitrogen at 300.degree. to 
320.degree. C. A clear elastic resin which can still be shaped when hot is 
obtained. 
A 15% strength solution of the polyamide-imide in cresol is brushed onto a 
glass plate and stoved for in each case 15 minutes at 200.degree. and 
300.degree. C. to give a clear elastic film. 
A sample of 15% strength solution in cresol is stirred into methanol. The 
polyamide-imide is obtained as a yellow powder. Analysis shows a nitrogen 
content of 9.0%, corresponding to an amount of 1 mole of incorporated 
caprolactam per mole of trimellitic acid anhydride. 
EXAMPLE 2 
250 g of 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane and 192 g of trimellitic acid 
anhydride are introduced into 580 g of caprolactam at 
120.degree.-130.degree. C. The temperature is then increased and the 
condensation is carried out for in each case 2 hours at 160.degree., 
170.degree. and 190.degree. C. 225 g of caprolactam are then distilled off 
at about 200.degree. C. in vacuo. 
A brittle resin with the characteristic bands of imido in the IR spectrum 
at 1715 and 1775 cm.sup.-1 is obtained. Precipitation of a solution of the 
resin in cresol with methanol gives the polyamide-imide as a yellow powder 
with a nitrogen content of 8.5%, corresponding to 0.55 mole of 
incorporated caprolactam per mole of trimellitic acid anhydride. 
EXAMPLE 3 
174 g of a technical grade mixture of 80% of toluylene 2,4-diisocyanate and 
20% of toluylene 2,6-diisocyanate and 192 g of trimellic acid anhydride 
are introduced into 500 g of caprolactam. The reaction mixture is then 
heated up and stirred for in each case 2 hours at 160.degree., 170.degree. 
and 190.degree. C. and for 4 hours at 205.degree. C. About 210 g of 
caprolactam are then distilled off in vacuo at temperatures of about 
200.degree. C. The polyamide-imide is obtained as a 70% strength clear 
melt, which solidifies to a brittle resin on cooling. The viscosity 
.eta..sup.25 of a 15% strength solution in cresol is 500 mPas. 
A sample of the resin is evaporated to a clear hard resin in vacuo at 
300.degree. C. 
EXAMPLE 4 
16.8 g of hexamethylene diisocyanate, 100 g of 
4,4'-diisocyanato-diphenylmethane and 96 g of trimellitic acid anhydride 
are introduced into 525 g of caprolactam at 120.degree. C. The 
condensation is then carried out, with stirring, for in each case 2 hours 
at 150.degree., 170.degree., 190.degree. and 200.degree. C. and for 4 
hours at 220.degree. C. The approximately 33% strength melt of the 
polyamide-imide solidifies to a brittle mass on cooling. The IR spectrum 
contains the bands characteristic of an imide at 1710 and 1775 cm.sup.-1. 
A sample of the resin is precipitated from the melt with water. The 
polyamide-imide is obtained as a yellow powder with a nitrogen content, 
determined by the Kjeldahl method, of 9.12%. A solution of the polymer in 
cresol is brushed onto a glass plate and stoved for in each case 15 
minutes at 200.degree. and 300.degree. C., to give a clear elastic lacquer 
film. 
EXAMPLE 5 
35 g of a technical grade mixture of 80% of toluylene 2,4- diisocyanate and 
20% of toluylene 2,6-diisocyanate, 200 g of 
4,4'-diisocyanato-diphenylmethane and 192 g of trimellitic acid anhydride 
are reacted in 565 g of caprolactam, with stirring, for in each case 2 
hours at 150.degree., 170.degree. and 190.degree. C. and for 4 hours at 
215.degree. C. The mixture is then diluted with 450 g of caprolactam. An 
approximately 33% strength solution of the polyamide-imide is obtained, 
which solidifies to a brittle resin on cooling. The viscosity of a 15% 
strength solution of the resin, based on the solids content in cresol, is 
.eta..sup.25 =1060 mPas. A sample of the resin is precipitated as a yellow 
powder with methanol and dissolved in cresol and the solution is stoved on 
a glass plate for in each case 15 minutes at 200.degree. and 300.degree. 
C. to give a clear elastic film. 
EXAMPLE 6 
255 g of 4,4'-diisocyanato-diphenylmethane and 192 g of trimellitic acid 
anhydride are introduced into a melt of 1070 g of caprolactam and 39 g of 
dodecanelactam at 120.degree. C. The mixture is then stirred for in each 
case 2 hours at 150.degree., 170.degree., 190.degree., 200.degree., 
210.degree. and 200.degree. C. The reaction product solidifies to a 
brittle mass on cooling. The polyamide-imide content is about 33% by 
weight. The viscosity of a 15% strength solution in cresol is .eta..sup.25 
=2460. 2% of a technical grade mixture of isomeric nonylphenols is added 
to a sample of the resin, and the sample is evaporated in a stream of 
nitrogen at 300.degree.-310.degree. C. to give a clear elastic polymer. 
EXAMPLE 7 
125 g of 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane and 96 g of trimellitic acid 
anhydride are introduced into a mixture of 235 g of caprolactam and 57 g 
of polycaproamide (Nylon 6) at 120.degree. C. Condensation to the 
polyamide-imide is carried out, with stirring, for in each case 2 hours at 
150.degree., 170.degree., 190.degree., 200.degree., 210.degree. and 
220.degree. C. The mixture is then diluted with 230 g of caprolactam to a 
solids content of about 33% by weight. The solution is poured out and 
solidifies to a brittle mass on cooling. The viscosity of 15% strength 
solution in cresol is .eta..sup.25 =2180. A solution of the resin in 
cresol is brushed onto a glass plate and is stoved for in each case 15 
minutes at 200.degree. and 300.degree. C. to give a clear elastic film. 
Precipitation of the resin from a solution in cresol with methanol gives 
the polyamide-imide as a yellow powder, which can be melted and shaped at 
300.degree. C.