Polyetheresteramides and process for making and using the same

A process for preparing a poly(ether ester)-amide which comprises 60 to 80 percent by weight of a polyamide block and 20 to 40 percent by weight of a polyether diol/dicarboxylic acid block, based on the weight of the polyamide block and the polyether diol/dicarboxylic acid block;

• wherein
• (a) a monomeric mixture of
• (i) 20 to 40 percent by weight, based on the total weight of (i), (ii), and (iii), of caprolactam or aminocaproic acid,
• (ii) 30 to 50 percent by weight, based on the total weight of (i), (ii), and (iii), of 11-aminoundecanoic acid, and
• (iii) 20 to 40 percent by weight, based on the total weight of (i), (ii), and (iii), of an adduct of hexamethylenediamine and decanedicarboxylic acid,
• wherein the quantities of (i), (ii), and (iii) sum to 100 percent by weight, is reacted with one or more saturated aliphatic C.sub.6-36 dicarboxylic acids to yield a polyamide having terminal carboxyl groups, and
• (b) the polyamide having terminal carboxyl groups is then reacted with a polyethylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of 400 to 2,000, optionally, in the presence of a catalyst, to yield said poly(ether ester)-amide.