What Is Methyl Methacrylate?
Methyl methacrylate (MMA), also known as acrylic monomer, is an unsaturated fatty acid ester. It is soluble in ethanol and acetone and has limited solubility in water.
MMA is a colorless, highly flammable liquid and vapor with a characteristic odor. In work environments, precautions such as preventing sparks and measures against electrostatic discharge (e.g., grounding) are necessary to ensure safety.
Exposure to MMA can cause allergic reactions, asthma, and breathing difficulties. It also has the potential to affect the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as drowsiness and dizziness.
Acrylic resin derived from methyl methacrylate is known for its exceptional transparency. Polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), also called acrylic glass, is used for applications like large aquariums due to its clarity.
Uses of Methyl Methacrylate
Methyl methacrylate is primarily used in the production of acrylic sheets and pressed molding resins. The polymers and copolymers formed are called methacrylic resins, utilized as raw materials for coating resins, resin modifiers, paints, paper coatings, adhesives, fiber processing materials, dental fillings, surgical cements, synthetic fingernails, and prosthetic devices.
Methacrylic resins are valued for their transparency, weather resistance, and recyclability, making them environmentally friendly. These properties have led to expanding applications in the IT and automotive sectors.
Recently, MMA has been utilized in 3D printing, offering the ability to create hard and precise moldings. This has proven particularly beneficial in the medical field for preoperative examinations, where it aids in confirming morphology and planning surgical procedures. However, due to its hardness, cutting the material post-shaping can be challenging.