Synthesis and characterization of polyamide resins from soy‐based dimer acids and different amides

Abstract

A series of soy-based polyamides with different dimer acids and diamines were synthesized using a condensation polymerization technique. The molecular weight of polyamides prepared from 1,4-phenylenediamine increases greatly with a reaction temperature above 260°C. The physical properties of the polyamides, such as glass transition temperature (Tg), melting point (Tm), decomposition temperature (Td), crystalline behavior, and mechanical strength strongly depend on their molecular weight and flexibility of diamines used. The aromatic-based polyamides have a higher Tg, Tm, Td, and stronger mechanical strength than that of aliphatic-based polyamides. X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples indicate that all of the resins synthesized present a typical semicrystalline morphology. Polyamides made from hydrogenated dimer acid possess lower Tg and higher mechanical strength, compared with polyamides from unsaturated dimer acid with different dimer and trimer ratios. These results are analyzed and discussed in accordance with the influence of rigid aromatic segments and the microstructure of different dimer acids. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68:305–314, 1998