Methyl methacrylate

Description

A colorless, volatile liquid that is the monomer for polymethyl methacrylate resins. Methyl methacrylate forms a clear glasslike, thermoplastic polymer that is light weight but hard to break. Methyl methacrylate polymerizes with heat, light, ionizing radiation, or catalysts. It can be copolymerized with many other monomers including other acrylate and methacrylate esters.

Synonyms and Related Terms

methacrylic acid methyl ester; methyl 2-methylpropenoate; metacrilato de metilo (Esp.); 2-metilpropenoato de metilo (Esp.); méthylméthacrylate (Fr.); metilmetacrilato (It.); acrilato de metilo (Port.)

FTIR

Chemical structure

Other Properties

Soluble in most organic solvents. Slightly soluble in water.

Composition	CH2:C(CH3)COOCH3
CAS	80-62-6
Melting Point	-48
Density	0.940
Molecular Weight	mol. wt. = 100.1
Refractive Index	1.482-1.521
Boiling Point	100-101

Hazards and Safety

Highly flammable. Flash point = 10 C. Explosive limits in air 2.1-12.5%.

Hazardous by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Contact causes irritation.

LINK: International Chemical Safety Card

Sources Checked for Data in Record

• R. J. Gettens, G.L. Stout, Painting Materials, A Short Encyclopaedia, Dover Publications, New York, 1966

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 10

• Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993

• Theodore J. Reinhart, 'Glossary of Terms', Engineered Plastics, ASM International, 1988

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997