Just how can a liquid which includes 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? The result is in one word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace your way of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer that’s polymerised to lead to PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), and its various grades.

MMA could be polymerised to PMMA through solution polymerisation, emulsion polymerisation and bulk polymerisation techniques. All these reactions happen in the presence of a catalyst. The resulting polymethyl methacrylate could be modified to varied shapes, sizes and forms based on the additives.
The varied grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin made by Sumitomo Chemical, which might be obtained on adding additives are:
• ‘High Impact Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Properties like high flow and good heat resistance make 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 ideal 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 use of this grade in automotive parts including 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 quantities of foreign contaminants can be 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 recommended for intricate parts and thin-wall parts molding including 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. are available under “Extrusion Grade”, “Heat Resistance Grade” and “High Flow Grade”. With balanced properties including heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade would work to create wide range of products including house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
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