Poly(methyl methacrylate) explained

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is the synthetic polymer derived from methyl methacrylate. It is used as an engineering plastic, and it is a transparent thermoplastic. PMMA is also known as acrylic, acrylic glass, as well as by the trade names and brands Crylux, Hesalite, Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, and Perspex, among several others (see below). This plastic is often used in sheet form as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to glass. It can also be used as a casting resin, in inks and coatings, and for many other purposes.

It is often technically classified as a type of glass, in that it is a non-crystalline vitreous substance—hence its occasional historic designation as acrylic glass.

History

The first acrylic acid was created in 1843. Methacrylic acid, derived from acrylic acid, was formulated in 1865. The reaction between methacrylic acid and methanol results in the ester methyl methacrylate.

It was developed in 1928 in several different laboratories by many chemists, such as William R. Conn, Otto Röhm, and Walter Bauer, and first brought to market in 1933 by German Röhm & Haas AG (as of January 2019, part of Evonik Industries) and its partner and former U.S. affiliate Rohm and Haas Company under the trademark Plexiglas.[1]

Polymethyl methacrylate was discovered in the early 1930s by British chemists Rowland Hill and John Crawford at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in the United Kingdom. ICI registered the product under the trademark Perspex. About the same time, chemist and industrialist Otto Röhm of Röhm and Haas AG in Germany attempted to produce safety glass by polymerizing methyl methacrylate between two layers of glass. The polymer separated from the glass as a clear plastic sheet, which Röhm gave the trademarked name Plexiglas in 1933.[2] Both Perspex and Plexiglas were commercialized in the late 1930s. In the United States, E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company (now DuPont Company) subsequently introduced its own product under the trademark Lucite. In 1936 ICI Acrylics (now Lucite International) began the first commercially viable production of acrylic safety glass. During World War II both Allied and Axis forces used acrylic glass for submarine periscopes and aircraft windscreen, canopies, and gun turrets. Scraps of acrylic were also used to made clear pistol grips for the M1911A1 pistol or clear handle grips for the M1 bayonet or theater knifes so that soldiers could put small photos of loved ones or pin-up girls' pictures inside. They were called "Sweetheart Grips" or "Pin-up Grips". Others were used to make handles for theater knives made from scrap materials and people who made them got artistic or creative.[3] Civilian applications followed after the war.[4]

Names

Common orthographic stylings include polymethyl methacrylate and polymethylmethacrylate. The full IUPAC chemical name is poly(methyl 2-methylpropoate). (It is a common mistake to use "an" instead of "en".)

Although PMMA is often called simply "acrylic", acrylic can also refer to other polymers or copolymers containing polyacrylonitrile. Notable trade names and brands include Acrylite, Altuglas,[5] Astariglas, Cho Chen, Crystallite, Cyrolite,[6] Hesalite (when used in Omega watches), Lucite,[7] Optix, Oroglas,[8] PerClax, Perspex, Plexiglas,[9] R-Cast, and Sumipex.

PMMA is an economical alternative to polycarbonate (PC) when tensile strength, flexural strength, transparency, polishability, and UV tolerance are more important than impact strength, chemical resistance, and heat resistance. Additionally, PMMA does not contain the potentially harmful bisphenol-A subunits found in polycarbonate and is a far better choice for laser cutting.[10] It is often preferred because of its moderate properties, easy handling and processing, and low cost. Non-modified PMMA behaves in a brittle manner when under load, especially under an impact force, and is more prone to scratching than conventional inorganic glass, but modified PMMA is sometimes able to achieve high scratch and impact resistance.

Properties

PMMA is a strong, tough, and lightweight material. It has a density of 1.17–1.20 g/cm, which is less than half that of glass.[11] It also has good impact strength, higher than both glass and polystyrene, but significantly lower than polycarbonate and some engineered polymers. PMMA ignites at and burns, forming carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, and low-molecular-weight compounds, including formaldehyde.[12]

PMMA transmits up to 92% of visible light (thickness),[13] and gives a reflection of about 4% from each of its surfaces due to its refractive index (1.4905 at 589.3nm).[14] It filters ultraviolet (UV) light at wavelengths below about 300 nm (similar to ordinary window glass). Some manufacturers[15] add coatings or additives to PMMA to improve absorption in the 300–400 nm range. PMMA passes infrared light of up to 2,800 nm and blocks IR of longer wavelengths up to 25,000 nm. Colored PMMA varieties allow specific IR wavelengths to pass while blocking visible light (for remote control or heat sensor applications, for example).

PMMA swells and dissolves in many organic solvents; it also has poor resistance to many other chemicals due to its easily hydrolyzed ester groups. Nevertheless, its environmental stability is superior to most other plastics such as polystyrene and polyethylene, and therefore it is often the material of choice for outdoor applications.[16]

PMMA has a maximum water absorption ratio of 0.3–0.4% by weight.[17] Tensile strength decreases with increased water absorption.[18] Its coefficient of thermal expansion is relatively high at (5–10)×10 °C.[19]

The Futuro house was made of fibreglass-reinforced polyester plastic, polyester-polyurethane, and poly(methylmethacrylate); one of them was found to be degrading by cyanobacteria and Archaea.[20] [21]

PMMA can be joined using cyanoacrylate cement (commonly known as superglue), with heat (welding), or by using chlorinated solvents such as dichloromethane or trichloromethane[22] (chloroform) to dissolve the plastic at the joint, which then fuses and sets, forming an almost invisible weld. Scratches may easily be removed by polishing or by heating the surface of the material. Laser cutting may be used to form intricate designs from PMMA sheets. PMMA vaporizes to gaseous compounds (including its monomers) upon laser cutting, so a very clean cut is made, and cutting is performed very easily. However, the pulsed lasercutting introduces high internal stresses, which on exposure to solvents produce undesirable "stress-crazing" at the cut edge and several millimetres deep. Even ammonium-based glass-cleaner and almost everything short of soap-and-water produces similar undesirable crazing, sometimes over the entire surface of the cut parts, at great distances from the stressed edge.[23] Annealing the PMMA sheet/parts is therefore an obligatory post-processing step when intending to chemically bond lasercut parts together.

In the majority of applications, PMMA will not shatter. Rather, it breaks into large dull pieces. Since PMMA is softer and more easily scratched than glass, scratch-resistant coatings are often added to PMMA sheets to protect it (as well as possible other functions).

Pure poly(methyl methacrylate) homopolymer is rarely sold as an end product, since it is not optimized for most applications. Rather, modified formulations with varying amounts of other comonomers, additives, and fillers are created for uses where specific properties are required. For example:

Synthesis and processing

PMMA is routinely produced by emulsion polymerization, solution polymerization, and bulk polymerization. Generally, radical initiation is used (including living polymerization methods), but anionic polymerization of PMMA can also be performed.[25]

The glass transition temperature (T) of atactic PMMA is 105C. The T values of commercial grades of PMMA range from 85C165C; the range is so wide because of the vast number of commercial compositions that are copolymers with co-monomers other than methyl methacrylate. PMMA is thus an organic glass at room temperature; i.e., it is below its T. The forming temperature starts at the glass transition temperature and goes up from there.[26] All common molding processes may be used, including injection molding, compression molding, and extrusion. The highest quality PMMA sheets are produced by cell casting, but in this case, the polymerization and molding steps occur concurrently. The strength of the material is higher than molding grades owing to its extremely high molecular mass. Rubber toughening has been used to increase the toughness of PMMA to overcome its brittle behavior in response to applied loads.

Applications

thumb|Close-up of pressure sphere of the bathyscaphe Trieste, with a single conical window of PMMA set into sphere hull. The very small black circle (smaller than the man's head) is the inner side of the plastic "window", only a few inches in diameter. The larger circular clear black area represents the larger outer side of the thick one-piece plastic cone "window".

Being transparent and durable, PMMA is a versatile material and has been used in a wide range of fields and applications such as rear-lights and instrument clusters for vehicles, appliances, and lenses for glasses. PMMA in the form of sheets affords to shatter resistant panels for building windows, skylights, bulletproof security barriers, signs and displays, sanitary ware (bathtubs), LCD screens, furniture and many other applications. It is also used for coating polymers based on MMA provides outstanding stability against environmental conditions with reduced emission of VOC. Methacrylate polymers are used extensively in medical and dental applications where purity and stability are critical to performance.[25]

Glass substitute

thumb|left|10adj=onNaNadj=on deep Monterey Bay Aquarium tank has acrylic windows up to 33cm (13inches) thick to withstand the water pressure.

Daylight redirection

See main article: Anidolic lighting.

Medicine

In particular, acrylic-type lenses are useful for cataract surgery in patients that have recurrent ocular inflammation (uveitis), as acrylic material induces less inflammation.

Dentistry

Due to its aforementioned biocompatibility, poly(methyl methacrylate) is a commonly used material in modern dentistry, particularly in the fabrication of dental prosthetics, artificial teeth, and orthodontic appliances.

Art and aesthetics

See also: Acrylic embedment.

Methyl methacrylate "synthetic resin" for casting (simply the bulk liquid chemical) may be used in conjunction with a polymerization catalyst such as methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), to produce hardened transparent PMMA in any shape, from a mold. Objects like insects or coins, or even dangerous chemicals in breakable quartz ampules, may be embedded in such "cast" blocks, for display and safe handling.

Other uses

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://history.evonik.com/sites/geschichte/de/erfindungen/plexiglas/ Plexiglas history by Evonik
  2. Web site: DPMAregister Marken - Registerauskunft . 2021-09-29 . register.dpma.de.
  3. Book: Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 77th Congress First Session . 1941 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . A2300–A2302 . Volume 87, Part 11 . 3 August 2020.
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  5. Book: David K. Platt . Engineering and High Performance Plastics Market Report: A Rapra Market Report . 1 January 2003 . Smithers Rapra . 978-1-85957-380-8 . 170 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160421171832/https://books.google.com/books?id=ajVlFikzvA8C&pg=PA170 . 21 April 2016 . live.
  6. Book: Charles A. Harper . Plastics Materials and Processes: A Concise Encyclopedia . Edward M. Petrie . 10 October 2003 . John Wiley & Sons . 978-0-471-45920-0 . 9 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160420235832/https://books.google.com/books?id=oe5YJmRmxQMC&pg=PA9 . 20 April 2016 . live.
  7. Web site: Trademark Electronic Search System . Search for Registration Number 0350093 . TESS . US Patent and Trademark Office . 29 June 2014.
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  9. Web site: WIPO Global Brand Database . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130121162152/http://wipo.int/branddb/en/ . 2013-01-21 . 2013-01-25.
  10. Web site: Never cut these materials.
  11. http://www.makeitfrom.com/material-properties/Polymethylmethacrylate-PMMA-Acrylic Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, Acrylic)
  12. . 10.1177/073490402762574749 . Preliminary Studies on Burning Behavior of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) . 2002 . Zeng . W. R. . Li . S. F. . Chow . W. K. . Journal of Fire Sciences . 20 . 4 . 297–317. 10397/31946 . 97589855 . free.
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  14. http://refractiveindex.info/?shelf=organic&book=poly%28methyl_methacrylate%29&page=Szczurowski Refractive index and related constants – Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA, Acrylic glass)
  15. http://www.plexiglas.com/acrylicsheet/acrylicsheetfamily#9 Altuglas International Plexiglas UF-3 UF-4 and UF-5 sheets
  16. Myer Ezrin Plastics Failure Guide: Cause and Prevention, Hanser Verlag, 1996, p. 168
  17. http://www.matbase.com/material/polymers/commodity/pmma/properties DATA TABLE FOR: Polymers: Commodity Polymers: PMMA
  18. 10.1557/PROC-875-O12.7 . Chiemi . Ishiyama . Yoshito . Yamamoto . Yakichi . Higo . 2005 . Effects of Humidity History on the Tensile Deformation Behaviour of Poly(methyl–methacrylate) (PMMA) Films . MRS Proceedings . 875 . T. . Buchheit . A. . Minor . R. . Spolenak . K. . 3 . Takashima . O12.7.
  19. Web site: Tangram Technology Ltd. – Polymer Data File – PMMA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100421184714/http://www.tangram.co.uk/TI-Polymer-PMMA.html . 2010-04-21.
  20. 10.1016/j.tibtech.2006.06.001 . Biodeterioration of modern materials in contemporary collections: Can biotechnology help? . 2006 . Cappitelli . Francesca . Principi . Pamela . Sorlini . Claudia . Trends in Biotechnology . 24 . 8 . 350–4 . 16782219.
  21. 10.1038/sj.embor.7400844 . Saving a fragile legacy. Biotechnology and microbiology are increasingly used to preserve and restore the world's cultural heritage . 2006 . Rinaldi . Andrea . EMBO Reports . 7 . 11 . 1075–9 . 17077862 . 1679785.
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  23. Web site: Andersen . Hans J . Tensions in acrylics when laser cutting . 23 December 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208045021/http://www.support.induflex.dk/Plast_Laserskaering_acryl.aspx?Lang=en-GB#lblTensions . 8 December 2015.
  24. López . Alejandro . Hoess . Andreas . Thersleff . Thomas . Ott . Marjam . Engqvist . Håkan . Persson . Cecilia . 2011-01-01 . Low-modulus PMMA bone cement modified with castor oil . Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering . en . 21 . 5–6 . 323–332 . 10.3233/BME-2012-0679 . 22561251 . 0959-2989 . free.
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  30. Yeang, Ken. Light Pipes: An Innovative Design Device for Bringing Natural Daylight and Illumination into Buildings with Deep Floor Plan, Nomination for the Far East Economic Review Asian Innovation Awards 2003
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  33. 10.1582/LEUKOS.01.04.003 . Victor . Gerchikov . Michele . Mossman . Lorne . Whitehead . 2005 . Modeling Attenuation versus Length in Practical Light Guides . LEUKOS . 1 . 4 . 47–59 . 220306943.
  34. http://www.bendinglight.co.uk/assets/pdf_downloads/How_Serraglaze_Works.pdf How Serraglaze works
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