Polymethylemethacrylate

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Properties & Manufacturing & Applications & Limitations of Polymethylmethacrylate
Preprint · January 2019
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POLY METHYLE METHA ACRYLATE (PMMA)
Properties & Manufacturing & Applications & Limitations
AbdAl-Rhman Magdy Abdullah Youssef
Department of chemical engineering, Higher technological institute-Tenth of Ramadan city, Egypt
Abstract
Acrylic polymers are important as it have many applications, the most
important member in acrylics family is poly methylemethaacrylate, as it
has good properties such as mechanical, physical properties.
PMMA can be produced by suspension polymerization which gives
PMMA powder, PMMA used in many fields such as; optics, Paints and
glazing.
I. Introduction
outdoor applications. PMMA’s UV light transmission
The most important member of the acrylic
is less than 1.0 at wavelengths of 270–350 nm.
polymers is poly (methyl methacrylate). It is a hard,
clear, colorless, transparent plastic that is usually PMMA has good chemical resistance; it is resistant to
available as molding and extrusion pellets, reactive food, fats, oils, nonoxidizing acids, and chemicals such
syrups, cast sheets, rods, and tubes. Poly (methyl as alkalis (dilute and concentrated), aliphatic
methacrylate) for molding or extrusion is produced hydrocarbons, salts, dilute mineral, and organic acids.
commercially by free-radical-initiated suspension or PMMA is susceptible to strong acids, aromatic and
bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate. To chlorinated hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, esters, and
minimize polymerization reaction exotherm and ketones. Correct and efficient utilization of any plastics
shrinkage, bulk polymerization, which is used in the material requires verification of its suitability in the
production of sheets, rods and tubes, is carried out with specific environment of application. Environmental
a reactive syrup of partially polymerized methyl media tend to have interactive effects, and the
methacrylate, which has a viscosity convenient for processing conditions of a part may be a contributive
handling, [1]. factor also. Isopropyl alcohol is known to cause crazing
(initiation of environmental stress cracking) in PMMA,
acrylics in general, and other plastics materials. Some
II. Properties of PMMA acrylics are less susceptible to alcohols than others, and
PMMA’s relatively low density, 1.19 g/cc gives this effect is dependent on molecular weight and other
it a specific strength advantage other transparent properties. Some combinations of properties including
materials such as engineering polysulfides, poly- higher molecular weight tend to mitigate this effect.
phenylene oxides, polyimides, fluorocarbons (Teflon Acrylic copolymers especially those with styrene can
AF), glass, etc. offer enhanced chemical resistance; oftentimes this
PMMA is a transparent, thermoplastic material improvement can result in compromised and reduced
that has brilliant clarity and “gem-like” appearance. It light transmission.
is a naturally amorphous thermoplastic material, and PMMA has good mechanical properties. It has a
has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 105°C– relatively high strength.
107°C. PMMA has refractive index of 1.49, a value that Tensile strength: 7,000–11,000 psi (68.9 MPa)
is comparable to those of glass materials (1.60); it is [polystyrene = 3,000–5,000 psi]
sometimes referred to as “organic glass. Tensile modulus: 460,000 psi (3171 MPa)
PMMA’s light transmission is about 92%–93% Flexural strength: 16,000 psi (110 MPa)
at wavelengths of 270–350 nm; this is theoretically the
Flexural modulus: 450,000 psi (3,102 MPa)
maximum obtainable at this nanometer range of
wavelengths. Haze value for PMMA is less than 0.8
PMMA has excellent dimensional stability, and can be
(non-aged sample) to less than 2 for aged samples.
used in thin-wall applications.
PMMA has excellent UV light resistance and
Tensile elongation: 5%
weatherability; this makes it suitable for extended
Low mold shrinkage: 0.001–0.004
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion (COLTE):
4.1E-05°F−1
Page 2 of 3
The aqueous phase (water and stabilizer) is heated

PMMA is moderately tough but it is not a high impact to 80°C under a nitrogen, inert gas blanket. The oil
resistance material due to its rigidity. However, PMMA phase (MMA monomer and catalyst) is added with
has higher impact strength than general purpose stirring at about 150–300 rpm. A small exotherm of
polystyrene (GPPS). PMMA sheets can be easily 5°C–10°C occurs after about 1 h, and most of the con-
fabricated. PMMA has very high scratch resistance. version has taken place. Initially, the oil phase is lighter
Notched impact strength: 0.4 ft-lb/in. (2.1 kJ/m) than the aqueous phase but the beads become heavy as
Un-notched Charpy impact strength: 5.7 ft-lb/in. (29.9 the process progresses, and precipitate to the bottom.
kJ/m) Polymerization pressure is 40 psi; temperature is 95°C–
110°C; and residence time is 1.0 h, [2].
PMMA has low moisture absorptivity (0.1%–4%/24 h).
This facilitates PMMA’s performance in electrical
IV. Applications of PMMA
insulation applications.
PMMA has good electrical insulation characteristics
such as low dissipation factor and high dielectric • Glazing (windshields for boats, snow mobiles,
strength. PMMA can be used for high-voltage electrical airplanes)
insulation up to 20,000 V/mil. • Commercial signs
Dissipation factor: 0.04–0.06 • Eye lenses and binoculars
Dielectric strength: 15,000–20,000 V/mil • Fiber optics for light piping
PMMA has slow burning characteristics though it is not • Solar panels
flame resistant. • Bath housing and shower doors
Burning rate: 0.5–30 mm/min • Windows and skylights
PMMA has ease of fabrication; bonding, ultrasonic • Aquariums (residential and commercial)
welding, and machining are excellent. • Signal lenses of automotive exterior lights
PMMA is sterilizable by dry ethylene oxide gas (wet • Motorcycle helmet visors
ethylene oxide and steam sterilization methods are not • Riot control police vehicles (impact resistant
suitable), e-beam irradiation, and gamma irradiation. transparent, acrylic glass for occupants’
Acrylics can discolor (turn yellow) with gamma protection from thrown objects)
irradiation but discoloration is temporary, and the parts • Viewing ports and hulls of submersibles
of structural integrity is not compromised. Higher • Aircraft transparent windows (stretched acrylic
radiation dosages produce higher levels of used for pressurized aircrafts)
discoloration and longer recovery times, [2]. • Lighthouse lenses
• Watch, clock and radio faces
III. Manufacturing of PMMA • Building panels and sidings
Suspension polymerization is one of industrial methods • Plumbing.
for manufacturing PMMA, figure (1) show flow sheet • Acrylic paint
of manufacturing PMMA by suspension • Office furniture makers, especially office chairs
polymerization. • Artistic paint surfaces (by Salvador Dalí), and
The suspension polymerization system typically organic glass picture frames.
consists of; • Polymer impregnated concrete, etc., [2].
1. Water. V. Limitations of PMMA
2. Stabilizers (suspending agents such as polyvinyl PMMA has a low impact strength; use of impact
alcohol, cellulose ether, sodium acylate, etc.). modifiers can improve this property. PMMA has poor
3. MMA monomer(s). resistance to attack by ketones, esters, ethers, and
aromatic and halogenated solvents.
4. Catalyst (benzoyl peroxide, etc.).
Unmodified PMMA is not flame resistant.
5. Polymer product (PMMA particles).
PMMA’s continuous use temperature (CUT) is about
The stabilizers disperse the monomer and the 75°C–95°C.
catalyst in water by reducing interfacial tension. PMMA costs more per pound than its competition and
Suspending agents also reduce droplet size and form commodity thermoplastics such as polystyrene, and
protective films that prevent the droplets from others. This accounts for the lower usage volume of
coalescing during the polymerization process. The PMMA (1–1.5 billion pounds per year) compared to 20
catalyst is soluble in the MMA monomer but the billion pounds per year for polystyrene.
PMMA polymer product is not.
PMMA is not easily recyclable, it is categorized as a
The system has to be continuously stirred. PMMA group 7 thermoplastic among recycled plastics and is
polymer product occurs in bead form in sizes of about not collected for recycling in most communities mostly
10–1000 micro meter. In suspension polymerization, due to its relatively low volume consumption. Large
each bead acts as a tiny bulk polymerization due to the pieces without too much stress, crazing, or cracking,
presence of “Trommsdorf effect” inside each bead. The can be reformed into other useful objects, [2].
beads are separated from each other and kept afloat by
the stirring and by the action of the stabilizer. At the
end of the polymerization process, the beads are filtered
and washed to remove the effect of the stabilizer and
residual monomer. Conversion rates of monomer to
polymer are usually higher than 90%.
Page 3 of 3
Figure (1): Flow sheet for the suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate, [1]
References
1. [1] Robert O. Ebewele, " Polymer Science and
Technology", CRC Press LLC, 2000, Ch.10,
Ch.15.
2. [2] christopher c. ibeh, “Thermoplastic
materials Properties, Manufacturing Methods,
and Applications”, CRC Press Taylor & Francis
Group, 2011, page 391-402.
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See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

Properties & Manufacturing & Applications & Limitations of Polymethylmethacrylate

Preprint · January 2019

Abdal-Rhman Magdy Abdullah Youssef

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

The aqueous phase (water and stabilizer) is heated

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