Lucite

Description

[Lucite International] A registered trademark for a series clear molded plastics. First sold in the 1930s, DuPont originally used the name Lucite® was used for all its polymeric esters (methyl, ethyl, and butyl) of methacrylic acid. Now, only the transparent, thermoplastic polymethyl methacrylate molded sheets are called Lucite® while the other resins and solutions are sold under the trademark of Elvacite®. Solid glasslike sheets of Lucite® have been used in modern sculpture and interior construction. They can be cast, extruded, machined as well as shaped by heating. Lucite® resins have been used in a series of house paints manufactured by PPG and sold under the brand name of Lucite®.

Former Lucite tradenames mentioned in the literature include:

• Lucite® 44: former trademark for Elvacite® 44
• Lucite® SAR 1103 and 11.4: transparent, slightly yellow acrylic sheets that filters ultraviolet light.

Current Tradenames sold after the merger of Lucite International and Mitsubishi Chemical include:

• Diakon®: a polymethylmethacrylate thermoplastic with excellent UV and weathering resistance
• Elvakon®: a polymethylmethacrylate that can be co-extruded with other polymers

Synonyms and Related Terms

polymethylmethacrylate; PMMA; polimetil metacrilato (It.)

Similar Products: Acrylite [Evonik]; Perspex [Perspex]; Altuglas [Arkema]; Astariglas [Astari]; Plexiglas [Evonik]; Optix [Plaskolite]

Applications

• Glazing

Resources and Citations

• Mitsubishi Chemical Group: Lucite acrylic resin
• Lucite International: Diakon