Just how can a liquid which includes just 5 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and eight hydrogen atoms be utilized for heavy duty purposes where thermal resistance, electrical resistance and mechanical strength is of prime importance? The result is based on a word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace the journey of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer which can be polymerised to cause PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), as well as various grades.
MMA may be polymerised to PMMA through solution polymerisation, emulsion polymerisation and bulk polymerisation techniques. All these reactions occur in the presence of a catalyst. The resulting pmma polymer may be modified to varied shapes, sizes and forms based on the additives.
The varied grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin created by Sumitomo Chemical, that are obtained on adding additives are:
• ‘High Impact Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Properties like high flow and good heat resistance get 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 will be the properties on this grade that favour its use in extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods.
• ‘Heat Resistant Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Excellent heat resistance, excellent surface hardness and mechanical strength enables the usage of this grade in automotive parts like tail lamp, instrument cluster, optical Lens, general lamps, 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 mandatory 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 among normal and optical grades/special grades. General Purpose Grades like MH, LG, LG2, etc. also come under “Extrusion Grade”, “Heat Resistance Grade” and “High Flow Grade”. With balanced properties like heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade is suitable for making wide range of products like house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
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