Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

The most common configuration for polyacrylates is the high molecular polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Produced in die-cast plastic plates. The other setting is the thermoplastic PMMA, and it's thereof derived co-polymers. The material is perfectly transparent and possesses extreme outdoor and weather resistance qualities. Of all the thermoplastic plastics, PMMA retains the hardest surface, making it extremely scratch proof. PMMA, therefore, is widely used in the automotive and electronic industry, and for home appliances. PMMA is also safe to use for food packaging. PMMA is vulnerable to plasticizers and oil from soft PVC and some rubber sorts. When used for sealing, this feature must be taken into account. For sealing purposes, flexible and plasticizer-free plastics are available.

Applications

PMMA profiles are abundantly found in:

Lighting industry
Advertising and display constructions
Automotive industry
Store interior design

Characteristics in short

Maximum allowable temperature approximately 85â° C (185â° F)
Fair to good impact resistance
Flammable
Extremely weatherproof
Fairly high E-Module
Very transparent
Good co-extruding qualities

Material qualities

The maximum temperature in which PMMA can be used ranges from 65â° to 95â° C (194â° - 203â° F). The materials handle temperature changes well, even at low temperatures. PMMA can be glued with specially developed glues. Prerequisite to gluing, the profile must be tension-free. To assure the profile is free of tension, it can be heat treated in, e.g., an oven for a couple of hours at a temperature of 60 - 90â° C (140 - 194â° F). PMMA can be welded with hot air, ultra-sonically, or high-frequency methods. Note: the impact-resistant varieties are harder to weld.

Colors

Since PMMA is crystal clear, it can be colored in transparently, beautifully bright, and brilliant colors can be infused, producing a high gloss surface luster. The surface remains colorfast for a long time.

Fire safety

PMMA is flammable and will evaporate entirely while burning without dripping.

Painting

Due to the crystal-clear material and its brilliant surface in combination with the light fastness and the weatherproof quality, PMMA is hardly ever painted. When PMMA is painted, attention must be paid to the intense vulnerability to solvents. The best option is to use thermoplastic acrylic paint types.

Chemical resistance

Acrylate is resistant to acids and alkalis, grease, and alcohol. The material is also resistant to aliphatic hydrocarbons; it is, however, not immune to chlorinated hydrocarbons and gasoline.

Bonding with other materials

PMMA is excellently suited to bond with different thermoplastics, among these: co-, tri-, and quad extrude. Next to the bonding with natural PMMA, like in a different color, it also bonds well with Hard PVC, ABS, ASA, and TPU.