Nylon 12

Nylon 12 is a nylon polymer with the formula [(CH2)11C(O)NH]n. It is made from ω-aminolauric acid or laurolactam monomers that each have 12 carbons, hence the name ‘Nylon 12’. It is one of several nylon polymers.

Synthesis
Nylon 12 can be produced through two routes. The first being polycondensation of ω-aminolauric acid, a bifunctional monomer with one amine and one carboxylic acid group.

n H2N(CH2)11CO2H  →   [(CH2)11CONH]n  +  n H2O

The second route is ring-opening polymerization of laurolactam at 260-300˚C. Ring opening can be carried out by cationic or anionic initiators, although cationic initiators have not been used commercially due to the product being less stable and oxidized relatively quickly in comparison to those produced by activated anionic polymerization (monomer casting). Ring-opening polymerization is the preferred route for commercial production.


 * n [(CH2)11CONH]  →   [(CH2)11CONH]n

Properties
Nylon 12 exhibits properties between short chain aliphatic nylons (e.g., nylon 6 and nylon 66) and polyolefins. At 178-180 °C, the melting point of nylon 12 is the lowest among the important polyamides. Its mechanical properties, such as hardness, tensile strength, and resistance to abrasion, are similar to those of nylon 6 and nylon 66. Low water absorption and density, 1.01 g/mL, result from its relatively long hydrocarbon chain length, which also confers it dimensional stability and an almost paraffin-like structure. Nylon 12 is also chemical resistant and insensitive to stress cracking.

Applications
Nylon 12 has a broad range of applications as polyamide additives. Nylon 12 is mainly used for films for packing material in the food industry and sterilized films and bags for use in the pharmaceutical and medical fields. When added to polyethylene films, it improves water vapor permeability and aroma impermeability.

It is also prepared as sheets and sintered powder for coating metals. In the electronics field, it is used for covering cables and insulating material, while in the automobile industry it is used to prepare oil and gasoline resistant tubes. In the cosmetic and personal care industries, it is used as bulking and opacifying agents in the face and body powders, and skin creams. Nylon 12 has also found uses in the textile industry and for producing sporting and leisure goods among other applications.

Manufacturers
Significant suppliers of nylon 12 include EMS-Chemie, the Marl Chemical Park operated by Evonik, Arkema and South Korea's SH Energy & Chemical Co.