Just how can a liquid which has just 5 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms provide for high quality purposes where thermal resistance, electrical resistance and mechanical strength is of prime importance? The solution is in one word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace the journey of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer that’s polymerised to bring about PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), as well as various grades.
MMA can be polymerised to PMMA through solution polymerisation, emulsion polymerisation and bulk polymerisation techniques. These reactions occur in a good a catalyst. The resulting acrylic glass can be modified to several shapes, sizes and forms depending on the additives.
The varied grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin created by Sumitomo Chemical, which might be obtained on adding additives are:
• ‘High Impact Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Properties like high flow and good heat resistance get this to ideal for manufacturing extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods, construction materials, automotive parts and industrial applications
• ‘Extrusion Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Good extrusion molding characteristics, high surface hardness, superb weatherability and ideal chemical resistance include the properties with this grade that favour its use in extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods.
• ‘Heat Resistant Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Excellent heat resistance, excellent surface hardness and mechanical strength enables the application of this grade in automotive parts including tail lamp, instrument cluster, optical Lens, general lamps, etc.
• ‘Optical Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – With excellent heat resistance and flow properties, the optical grades with extremely low numbers of foreign contaminants bring light Guide panels and optical lenses.
• ‘High Flow Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’- With characteristics like high-flow during injection molding and good moldability, this grade is recommended for intricate parts and thin-wall parts molding including watch and clock cover, lighting cover, name plate, house ware, etc.
• ‘General Purpose Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – General Purpose Grades determine difference between normal and optical grades/special grades. General Purpose Grades like MH, LG, LG2, etc. also come under “Extrusion Grade”, “Heat Resistance Grade” and “High Flow Grade”. With balanced properties including heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade is acceptable to create great deal of products including house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
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