Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA): An Acrylic Polymer

What are Acrylic Polymers ?

Acrylic Polymers, commonly known as acrylics are strong, stiff, and transparent plastic materials. They are prepared by free-radical polymerization of monomers that belong to ester acrylate (R=H) and methacrylate (R=CH₃) families.

Acrylic Polymers are found in the market under the trade names perspex, Acrylite, Europlex, Optix, Duraplex, and Plexiglass. They are used for lighting, electronics screen, automotive components, and outdoor glazing in architecture and construction.

Most common Acrylic Polymer:

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)


Structure-of-PMMA

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic that is used in sheet form as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It is a synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate which is prepared by free radical polymerization of this monomer.


Preparation of Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a vinyl polymer that is prepared by free radical polymerization of monomer methyl methacrylate which is an ester of methyl acrylic acid, in the presence of acetyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.


Preparation-of-Poly(methyl methacrylate)


Properties of Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

1. PMMA is a hard, fairly rigid material with a high softening point of about 130-140 ℃.

2. PMMA has excellent light transmission properties even better than glass.

3. PMMA has outstanding shape-forming properties due to the wide span of temperature from its rigid state to viscous.

4. PMMA has poor resistance to chemicals due to its easily hydrolyzed ester group.


Applications of Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

1. PMMA is widely used in the manufacture of lenses, light covers, light shades, signboards, transparent domes, skydomes, skylights, aircraft windows, protective coatings, plastic jewelry, etc.

2. PMMA is found in paints where acrylic "Latex" paints often contain PMMA suspended in water.

3. PMMA is also used in the medical sector like in orthopedic surgery, PMMA bone cement is used to affix implants and to remodel lost bone.

4. PMMA can also be used as a dispersant for ceramic powders to stabilize colloidal suspensions in non-aqueous media.

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