PMMA
Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) differentiates itself among other plastics thanks to its specific properties such as high light transmittance, exceptionally long service life, high resistance to ultraviolet radiation and weathering, and unlimited color options. In addition, PMMA is the thermoplastic with the highest surface hardness. It offers a very creative scope as it can be produced using all thermoforming methods. Another benefit of PMMA is that it is 100% recyclable and thus makes a significant contribution to preventing waste of natural resources.
Features:
- High transparency
- Low permeability (>92%)
- Good resistance to ultraviolet light and weathering
- Extremely high surface hardness
- Good resistance to chemicals
- Easy thermoforming
Areas of Use:
The most well-known uses of PMMA are for roofs and greenhouses that can withstand extreme weather conditions such as sun, rain and snow. It is also widely used in the automotive industry for interior and exterior lighting, instrument housings, windshields and mirror housings.
Apart from this, PMMA is used in light guide panels in the lighting units of LCD screens, cell phone lenses, backlit and touch screens, illuminated signs, street lamps and industrial lamps.
Processes:
PMMA is produced by polymerizing methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer. Mass polymerization is the most common production method. The material comes in small granules and is then molded by all thermoplastic methods (such as injection molding and extrusion).
Suspension polymerization is the process by which acrylic palates are produced. These are small, spherical particles that resemble dust. These palates have similar properties to granules, but their unique size and shape allow them to be used in different applications.
Extruded PMMA sheets are obtained from polymerized PMMA pellets. These are homogenized in an extruder. It is extruded with suitable tools into solid sheet, multilayer and curved sheet or tube and rod. Cast sheets are produced by pouring liquid methyl methacrylate (MMA) between two sheets of glass where the MMA polymerizes. Polymerization can take place in a water bath, in a hot air oven or by the Rostero process.