Polymethyl metacrylate (abbreviation PMMA), well-known under the trade name "plexiglass "(company or also as acrylic glass is a synthetic, glass-similar thermoplastic plastic. In the former RGW states PMMA was called Piacryl.

History

Polymethyl metacrylate was developed about at the same time 1928 in Germany, Great Britain and Spain and brought 1933 to ready for the market ones. It is manufactured today in large quantities and finds versatile use as non-splintering and easier replacement for glass (e.g. Eye protectors, etc.). The first contact contacts made of plastic were made about 1939 of PMMA. One of the first everyday life products of PMMA were covers of record players (brown "SK4" of 1956, the "Schneewittchensarg in such a way specified").

Structure and characteristics

Structural formula of polymethyl metacrylate:

     H CH3 | |  "  - CC  "  | | H COOCH3 

From the polymerization of the raw materials acetone, prussic acid, sulfuric acid and methanol PMMA results. These materials are poisonous, the product PMMA are however innocuous, which makes it interesting for the internal medicine and other sensitive ranges also. An end of the 1990er years in Japan developed procedure works without prussic acid and acetone.

The into one another interlaced polymer chains give its name to the plexiglass (lat. plectere = twist).

PMMA burns knisternd, with yellowish flame, smell, to drip without and without arrears. With the Beklopfen with the fingernail PMMA does not sound to metallic contrary to transparent polystyrene.

Characteristics of PMMA:

• approx. 50 per cent smaller density opposite mineral glass (approx. 1.2 g/cm3)
• flexibly and impact resistant
• Elastic module (course): 2700..3200 N/mm
• Ultimate tensile strength: 70 N/mm
• good machine cutting treatment possible
• starting from 100"°C easily ductile. During cooling in water this form remains
• Connections by sticking or welding possible
• can be cut or engraved very well with CO2-Lasern
• transmits light better than normal glass
• weather and age-resistingly
• steadily against acids and caustic solutions of middle concentration.
• steadily against gasoline and oil
• Alcohol and benzene attack PMMA
• scratch-sensitively
• infrared radiation leaves depending upon type ultraviolet light and X-ray through however holds back. Therefore also for greenhouses and in the x-ray lithography one uses.

Also the possibilities of the shaping are very various. So it can be used not only as glazier set with windows, but also for household effects like e.g. Dishes.

PMMA is very shatter crack sensitive. Therefore plexiglass surfaces may not be cleaned also with alcohol or solvents.

Operational areas

Of polymethyl metacrylate among other things optical lenses and eyeglass lenses, glazings, lamps and sanitary parts are made.

PMMA is indispensably in the medicine particularly the dental medicine, where it is used for prostheses. For this the plastic is dyed with metal salts, so that the typical pink color develops. In transparent form it is used for federation rails. The plastic is mixed freely and hardens under heat and pressure out. Also activators can be added.

PMMA is besides a component of photo lacquers, which find in the optical lithography use.

Further operational areas:

Kfz industry: Tail lamp glass, reflector, light conductor, turn signal glass

Electrical industry: Illuminating engineering, light cover

Optical industry: Sediment bowl, lenses, eyeglass lens, prism plates, light conductors

Household article: Key cap, Handydisplay, housing

Building industry: Concrete polymer composite, industrial floor, glazings (e.g. doubling EGP slats), sanitary fitting (e.g. bath tub), furniture

Bone cement (e.g. to the anchorage of

Dental medicine: Total and partial prostheses

Textile industry: To a component of polyacrylic fibers, see Polyacrylnitril

Semiconductor industry: Use as resist in the electron beam lithography

See also

• Otto
• Term monopoly

Related links

• Homepage (plexiglass)
• Trade name and manufacturer of polymethyl metacrylate
• Tip for processing

Articles in category "Polymethyl metacrylate"

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