How do a liquid which has just 5 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms be used for heavy duty purposes where thermal resistance, electrical resistance and mechanical strength is of prime importance? The result lies in a word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace your way of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer that is polymerised to bring about PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), and its various grades.
MMA can be polymerised to PMMA through solution polymerisation, emulsion polymerisation and bulk polymerisation techniques. All these reactions take place in the existence of a catalyst. The resulting pmma polymer can be modified to several shapes, sizes and forms depending on the additives.
The assorted grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin made by Sumitomo Chemical, which might be obtained on adding additives are:
• ‘High Impact Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Properties like high flow and good heat resistance choose this well suited for manufacturing extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods, construction materials, automotive parts and industrial applications
• ‘Extrusion Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Good extrusion molding characteristics, high surface hardness, superb weatherability and excellent chemical resistance include the properties of the grade that favour its used in extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods.
• ‘Heat Resistant Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Excellent heat resistance, excellent surface hardness and mechanical strength enables the application of this grade in automotive parts like tail lamp, instrument cluster, optical Lens, general lighting fixtures, etc.
• ‘Optical Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – With excellent heat resistance and flow properties, the optical grades with extremely low numbers of foreign contaminants are used for light Guide panels and optical lenses.
• ‘High Flow Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’- With characteristics like high-flow during injection molding and good moldability, this grade is suggested for intricate parts and thin-wall parts molding like watch and clock cover, lighting cover, name plate, house ware, etc.
• ‘General Purpose Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – General Purpose Grades determine difference between normal and optical grades/special grades. General Purpose Grades like MH, LG, LG2, etc. are available under “Extrusion Grade”, “Heat Resistance Grade” and “High Flow Grade”. With balanced properties like heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade is acceptable for making massive amount products like house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
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