Just how can a liquid containing just 5 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms be used for heavy duty purposes where thermal resistance, electrical resistance and mechanical strength is of prime importance? A better solution is in a word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace the journey of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer which is polymerised to lead to PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), and its various grades.

MMA may 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 pmma polymer may be modified to various shapes, sizes and forms based on the additives.
Various grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin manufactured 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 get this to 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 ideal chemical resistance include the properties of 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 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 recommended 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 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 like heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade is acceptable to make number of products like house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
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