How do a liquid that has just 5 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and eight hydrogen atoms be used for robust purposes where thermal resistance, electrical resistance and mechanical strength is of prime importance? The solution lies in a word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace the journey of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer which can be polymerised to bring about PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), and its particular various grades.

MMA might be polymerised to PMMA through solution polymerisation, emulsion polymerisation and bulk polymerisation techniques. Every one of these reactions occur in a good a catalyst. The resulting acrylic glass might be modified to various shapes, sizes and forms with respect to the additives.
The varied grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin produced by Sumitomo Chemical, which can be obtained on adding additives are:
• ‘High Impact Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Properties like high flow and good heat resistance make this ideal 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 utilization in extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods.
• ‘Heat Resistant Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Excellent heat resistance, excellent surface hardness and mechanical strength enables the application of this grade in automotive parts for example 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 amounts 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 recommended for intricate parts and thin-wall parts molding for example watch and clock cover, lighting cover, name plate, house ware, etc.
• ‘General Purpose Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – General Purpose Grades determine distinction between normal and optical grades/special grades. General Purpose Grades like MH, LG, LG2, etc. come under “Extrusion Grade”, “Heat Resistance Grade” and “High Flow Grade”. With balanced properties for example heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade is suitable to make massive amount products for example house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
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