PMMA

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a polymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and an ester of poly(methacrylic acid) chemically. It is a strong but lightweight polymer that shows impact resistance, weather resistance and chemical resistance and is known as an alternative to inorganic glass. The presence of adjacent methyl groups (CH₃) in the polymer structure prevents it from being packed tightly in a crystalline fashion and from rotating freely around the C-C bond. This is why PMMA was found to be an amorphous thermoplastic. As a promising polymer, PMMA has been used in a variety of applications in the optical materials, automotive, electronics, display and other industries.

Alfa Chemistry is a leading global supplier of PMMA. We are committed to providing you with different specifications of high-quality PMMA to meet your scientific or industrial applications. With our extensive product portfolio, you can find the perfect PMMA to drive your research forward.

Performance Characteristics

The main performance characteristics of PMMA are as follows:

• Transparency and Optical Clarity: PMMA is known for its excellent transparency, allowing high levels of light transmission. In addition, its optical clarity is comparable to that of glass.
• Mechanical Strength: PMMA exhibits good mechanical strength. It has the ability to withstand external forces and impacts without deforming or breaking easily.
• Weatherability and UV Resistance: PMMA demonstrates remarkable weatherability, retaining its clarity and mechanical properties even when exposed to harsh environmental conditions. In addition, it has inherent stability to UV light, thus preventing yellowing, degradation or loss of optical properties.
• Chemical Resistance: PMMA is unaffected by aqueous solutions of most laboratory chemicals. Examples include detergents, dilute inorganic acids, alkalis and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
• Ease of Processing: PMMA can be relatively easily molded, extruded and formed into a variety of shapes and sizes.

Applications

PMMA has a wide range of applications in various industries. Its typical applications are as follows:

• Medical and Healthcare

(i) PMMA is widely used in the biomedical field. Examples include the preparation of bone cement for drug delivery/release and cranioplasty.

(ii) Due to its excellent biocompatibility and hemocompatibility as well as ease of manipulation, PMMA is used in many medical devices, including blood pumps and dialyzers. In addition, its optical properties make it a candidate material for implantable ocular lenses and hard contact lenses.

(iii) PMMA's low density, aesthetics, ease of manipulation, and customizable physical and mechanical properties make it a suitable and popular biomaterial for dental applications. It is commonly used for prosthetic dental applications, including the fabrication of artificial teeth, denture bases, dentures, obturators, orthodontic retainers, and for the repair of dental prostheses.

• Optics and Lighting

PMMA's exceptional optical clarity and transparency make it a preferred material for optical components. It is used in the production of lenses for eyewear, cameras, projectors, and microscopes. PMMA also serves as light guide panels, diffusers, and light covers in LED lighting fixtures, automotive lighting, and illuminated signage.

• Home Decoration

PMMA can be molded into a variety of shapes, which makes it popular in the manufacture of furniture and home accessories. PMMA is commonly used to make acrylic furniture such as chairs, tables and shelves.

• Construction Industry

PMMA is used in the construction industry for its lightweight, durable and weather resistant properties. It is commonly used as a glass replacement for windows, skylights and building facades.

Our Products

Alfa Chemistry provides customers with PMMA in different material forms. The specific products are as follows:

PMMA Sheets & Rods

PMMA Powders & Microspheres

PMMA Tubes