Influence of the Structure of Polyimide Macromolecules on the Reinforcement of Polycaproamide

Aromatic polyimides used in the anionic polymerization of e-caprolactam as polyfunctional activators are considered effective reinforcing agents of polycaproamide formed in their presence. It is shown that the nature of polyimide, the rigidity of its macromolecules, makes the dominant contribution to the strength characteristics of copolymers. It is found that molecular composites containing up to 5 wt % of the rigid-chain polyimide have a unique specific impact strength that is several times higher than the corresponding values for both polycaproamide and its copolymers with flexible-chain polyimides.