Patent ID: 7435787

Claim:
A process for the continuous production of silylated prepolymer resin which comprises: a) continuously metering into a feed line a predetermined quantity of reactants to form a mixture comprising: (i) a polyol; (ii) a silylating agent; and (iii) optionally, at least one additive; b) continuously introducing the mixture of step (a) into a first tubular reactor with an internal static mixer with a ratio of length to diameter of from about 10:1 to about 50:1 and preheated using an external heat source to a temperature ranging from about 120° C. up to about 200° C.; c) continuously mixing, heating to the reaction temperature, drying, devolatilizing and grinding the mixture of step (b) in the tubular reactor with an internal static mixer; d) continuously feeding a stream containing catalysts which is introduced into a second tubular reactor downstream of the inlet into which combined feeds (i), (ii) and, optionally, (iii) are introduced; e) continuously reacting the ingredients of step (d) as the ingredients move linearly through the second tubular reactor under reaction conditions of temperature and time sufficient to complete the endcapping reaction in the tubular reactor and produce a silylated prepolymer resin; and, f) continuously removing the silylated prepolymer resin from the second tubular reactor and directing the silylated prepolymer resin continuously into a cooler which cools the silylated prepolymer resin to a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 80° C.