Uses Of Poly-methyl Methacrylate (pmma)

By Author: RajChopra
Total Articles: 9
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Poly-methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) is a transparent form of plastic material that is widely used for its wide range of applications in multiple markets and industries out there. Right from the manufacturing of the smartphone screens to the car windows, aquariums, and much more –the PMMA serves to be a tough form of plastic that is quite easy to shape and serves to be a great alternative when it comes to the utilization of the less resilient glass and the higher costs involved.

What is Acrylic (PMMA) Plastic?

Poly-methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) –also referred to as acrylic glass or merely acrylic is a rigid and transparent form of a thermoplastic material. The plastic material is widely used as an effective alternative to glass due to its shatter-proof nature. PMMA tends to offer a wide number of technical benefits over other forms of transparent polymers including PC, polystyrene, and so more. Some of the benefits offered by PMMA over other types of plastic materials include:

• Unlimited options for coloring
• Higher resistance to weathering and UV resistance
• Excellent property of the light ...
... transmission

Properties & Benefits of Acrylic Plastic (PMMA)

PMMA polymer is known to exhibit amazing glass-like characteristics including amazing brilliance, transparency, translucence, and clarity. The given form of plastic is also known to be half the overall weight with around 10 times the measure of impact resistance. PMMA serves to be highly robust and imposes a reduced risk of the overall damage.

Some of the unique properties of PMMA include:

• Transmittance: Acrylic polymer or PMMA tends to have a refractive index of around 1.49. Therefore, it is known for offering higher value for light transmittance. PMMA grades are capable of allowing as much as 92 percent of light to pass through the layers. As such, PMMA is glossier in comparison to other forms of plastics. PMMA is also recommended for a wide range of outdoor applications –given its improved environmental stability.

• Surface Hardness: PMMA is known to be a tough, lightweight, durable thermoplastic. The overall value for the density of PMMA tends to range between 1.17 and 1.20 g/cm3. This value is almost half to that of glass. As such, PMMA is known to exhibit amazing scratch resistance in comparison to other transparent forms of polymers including polycarbonates. PMMA is also known to feature reduced moisture and less water absorbing capability. Therefore, the products made out of the same reflect better dimensional stability.

• UV Stability: PMMA is highly resistant to UV light as well as weathering. Some of the commercial forms of acrylic polymers or PMMA tend to be UV-stabilized for ensuring better resistance even in the case of prolonged exposure to sunlight due to its optical and mechanical properties. As such, PMMA is considered a great option for outdoor applications involving long-term exposure to open air.

• Chemical Resistance: Acrylics are known to remain unaffected under the impact of aqueous solutions in most of the lab-based chemicals.

A wide number of industries make use of PMMA for its amazing characteristics.