Toward industrial use of anionically activated lactam polymers: Past, present and future

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of lactam-based polymers and related composites produced via anionic ring opening polymerization (AROP). Recent and past achievements, grouped into academic and industrial research works, and covering also the chemistry (initiator and activator systems) and modification possibilities of in situ polymerized ε-caprolactam (CL) and ω-lauryllactam (LL) are presented and discussed. Special emphasis was put on the industrial applications of AROP of CL and LL resulting in polyamide-6 (PA6) and PA12, respectively. The results achieved are surveyed and highlighted according to the preparation and manufacturing techniques. Based on this state-of-art review, development trends for the future were concluded and their possible drivers suggested. Keywords: ε-caprolactam, Lauryllactam, In situ polymerization, Anionic activated ring opening polymerization (AROP), Blends, Nanocomposites, Casting, Rotation molding, Thermoplastic resin transfer molding, Thermoplastic reactive pultrusion, Single-polymer composites