PMMA Additives

Firman Muttaqin

Poly(methyl methacrylate)
(PMMA)

General Poly(methacrylates) are polymers of the esters of

methacrylic acids.
The most commonly used among them is poly(methyl
methacrylate) (PMMA).
Poly(methyl methacrylate) or poly (methyl 2methylpropenoate) is
the polymer of methyl methacrylate, with chemical formula
C5H8O2)n.
It is a clear, colorless polymer available on the market in both
pellet and sheet form under the names Plexiglas, Acrylite, Perspex,
Plazcryl, Acrylplast, Altuglas, Lucite etc. It is commonly called
acrylic glass or simply acrylic.
Poly(methyl methacrylate) is produced by freeradical
polymerization of methyl methacrylate in mass (when it is in
sheet form) or suspension polymerization according to the
following chart:

PMMA Properties

PMMA is a linear thermoplastic polymer.

PMMA has high mechanical strength, high Youngs modulus and
low elongation at break.
It does not shatter on rupture. It is one of the hardest
thermoplastics and is also highly scratch resistant.
It exhibits low moisture and water absorbing capacity, due to
which products made have good dimensional stability. Both of
these characteristics increase as the temperature rises.

Mechanical characteristics of
Polymethyl methacrylate
the mechanical properties of PMMA vary
as the temperature changes. This
material tends to creep. It is not suitable
for operation under multiple dynamic
loads.

PMMA is one of the

polymers that is
most resistant to
direct sunshine
exposure. Its
strength
characteristics
exhibit fairly small
variations under the
effect of UV
radiation, as well as
in the presence of
ozone.
These properties of
PMMA make it
suitable for
products intended
for long openair

Electrical properties of Poly(methyl

methacrylate)
The low water absorption capacity of PMMA makes it very suitable for electrical
engineering purposes. Its dielectric properties are very good, but polystyrene
and LDPE are superior to it.
Its resistivity depends on the ambient temperature and relative humidity. The
dielectric constant, as well as the loss tangent, depends on the temperature,
the relative humidity of air and the frequency.

Thermal properties of Poly(methyl

methacrylate)
The thermal stability of
standard PMMA is only
65oC. Heatstabilised
types can withstand
temperatures of up to
100oC. PMMA can
withstand temperatures
as low as70oC. Its
resistance to
temperature changes is
very good.
PMMA is a combustible
material, which
continues burning even
after the flame is
removed the products
separated in the process
of thermal destruction

Optical properties of Poly(methyl

methacrylate)
PMMA exhibits very good optical properties it transmits more
light (up to 93% of visible light) than glass. Combined with its
good degree of compatibility with human tissue, it can be used for
replacement intraocular lenses or for contact lenses. Unlike glass,
PMMA does not filter ultraviolet light. It transmits UV light down to
300 nm and allows infrared light of up to 2800 nm to pass.

Chemical resistance of
PMMA

Acrylics are unaffected by aqueous solutions of most

laboratory chemicals, by detergents, cleaners, dilute
inorganic acids, alkalis, and aliphatic hydrocarbons
however, acrylics are not recommended for use with
chlorinated or aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, or ketones.
It dissolves completely in chloroform, di and tri
chlorethane, which is used for production of glues.
The chemical resistance will vary with stress level,
temperature, reagents and duration of exposure.
PMMA are physiologically harmless. Due to their low
moisture absorption capacity they are not attacked by
moulds and enzymes.

PMMA Brands
Acrylite, a trademark of Evonik Cyro since 1976[1]
Lucite (notleucite, although they sound alike), a trademark of
DuPont, first registered in 1937[2]
R-Cast, a trademark of Reynolds Polymer Technology. Founded in
1987 after spinning off from Reynolds & Taylor. They specialize in
large scale and thick monolithic acrylic.[3]
Plexiglas, a trademark of ELF Atochem, now a subsidiary of
Arkema[4]
Optix, a trademark of Plaskolite[4]
Perspex, a trademark ofImperial Chemical Industries[4]
Oroglas, a trademark of Rohm & Haas[5]
Altuglas, also a trademark of Rohm & Haas[6]
Cyrolite, a trademark of CYRO[4]
Zylar, a trademark ofNova Chemicals[4]

GLOBAL PLASTIC ADDITIVES

MARKET BY FUNCTION
Property
Modifiers

Property
Stabilizers

FEED
ADDITIV
ES
MARKET,
BY
LIVESTO
CK

Processi
ng Aids

Property
Extenders

PLASTIC ADDITIVES MARKET BY

PRODUCT & APPLICATIONS

PLASTIC
ADDITIVES
MARKET BY
PRODUCT
&
APPLICATIONS

Plasticizers
Flame
Retardants
Impact
Modifiers
Antioxidants
Antimicrobial
s
UV Stabilizers

Polymer Degradation

Polymer
degradation

Heat
(heat degradation)

Plasticizer

UV
(UV degradation)

UV absorber / light
stabilizer
HALS (Hostavin 3050 Clariant)
UV absorber (ADK STAB LA-46)
Palmarole LS.BT.990 hindered
phenol - ADEKA

Oxygen
(Oxidative
degradation)

Anti oxidant

Example of Additives used in

Plastics

Mineral Reinforcement/Fillers: improve stiffness, surface

hardness, cost reduction
Dyes and Pigments: color & appearance
Antioxidants & stabilizers: delay/prevent oxidation during
processing/application
UV Stabilizers: interfere with light-induced degradation,
weathering
Blowing Agents: production of foams, weight reduction
Lubricants: improvement in processing, release properties
Coupling Agents: impart compatibility between polymer &
additives
Antistats/Conductives: prevent electrostatic discharge, improve
conductivity
Antimicrobials: prevent microbiological attack and property
degradation
Impact Modifiers: enhance toughness of material to impact
Optical Brighteners: enhance appearance, off-set yellow color

Top Market Players of Feed Additives

BASF
CHEMTURA CORPORATION
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION
BAYER-AG
Clariant Ltd
Kaneka Corp.
Axel Plastics Research Laborities, Inc
LANWESS AG
Zeon Chemicals L.P
DOW Plastic Additives

Additives in PMMA
Impact modifier

Biocide
PMMA
(Cast Acrylic)

Colorants:
dyes & pigments

Anti oxidant

Anti-blocking
Keeping surfaces separated
Coated surfaces or layers, especially those recently coated, have a tendency to stick
together. When this happens, they are often ruined. Preventing this from happening is
called anti-blocking. When added to coating formulations, colloidal silica gives surfaces
an anti-blocking capacity for two main reasons:
1) Colloidal silica makes surfaces more hydrophilic, causing more moisture to be
retained by surfaces during drying, which reduces their tackiness.
2) Considered small glass particles, colloidal silica resists high temperatures
(SiO2has a melting point of about 1650C) and even under high temperature particles
stay discrete and do not fuse.
Colloidal silica benefits
Increased heat resistance
Controllable drying times
Reduced shrinkage during drying
Excellent water retention
Safe handling
Easy to use

Antistatic agents
The main reason for using antistatic agents is
to improve aesthetic appearance as well as
practical and safe handling of plastic articles.
Their way of performance is based on a
migration to the article surface and to build up
a micro layer of humidity which enables electric
charges to dissipate.
Hence antistatic agents are used to solve the
problems of static electricity avoiding troubles
such as electric shock, dust attraction and
sticking of films.