Journey coming from MMA to PMMA – Infographic

Posted on by

How do a liquid that has just 5 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and eight hydrogen atoms provide for durable purposes where thermal resistance, electrical resistance and mechanical strength is of prime importance? A better solution is based on a word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace your way of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer which is polymerised to bring about PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), as well as various grades.


MMA may be polymerised to PMMA through solution polymerisation, emulsion polymerisation and bulk polymerisation techniques. Each one of these reactions take place in a good a catalyst. The resulting methyl methacrylate resin may be modified to several shapes, sizes and forms with regards to the additives.
The assorted grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin produced by Sumitomo Chemical, that are obtained on adding additives are:
• ‘High Impact Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Properties like high flow and good heat resistance choose this suitable 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 would be the properties with this grade that favour its use within extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods.
• ‘Heat Resistant Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Excellent heat resistance, excellent surface hardness and mechanical strength enables using this grade in automotive parts like tail lamp, instrument cluster, optical Lens, general light fittings, etc.
• ‘Optical Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – With excellent heat resistance and flow properties, the optical grades with extremely low quantities of foreign contaminants can be used 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. will comw with under “Extrusion Grade”, “Heat Resistance Grade” and “High Flow Grade”. With balanced properties like heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade would work to make massive amount products like house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
Check out about methyl methacrylate resin view this popular resource: check it out