10 Facts about Acrylic Plastic

Friday, November 14th 2014. | Chemistry

If you want to know plastic produced by most manufacturers in the world, check out Facts about Acrylic Plastic. This plastic is created from acrylic acid. The most common variant of acrylic plastic is PMMA or polymethyl methacrylate. Here are Acrylic plastic facts:

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 1: history

Let’s talk a brief history acrylic plastic. In 1877, the process of manufacturing polymethyl methacrylate was established. In 1930s, the commercial production of polymethyl methacrylate began. You have to know that it is made from acrylic acid. Check out facts about acids here.

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 2: manufacturing process

Making an acrylic plastic is not as a simple as you might think. It is very difficult. The manufacturer has to react methyl methacrylate with a catalyst to produce the polymer. The polymer will be used to create rods or sheet of plastic.

Acrylic Plastic Green

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 3: characteristics of acrylic plastic

There are some characteristics of acrylic plastic that you have to concern. It is weather resistance. They are also resistance to detergents, acid and chemicals in the laboratory. But it gives you the optical clarity.

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 4: usage of PMMA

There are many ways that the industries can use PMMA. It can be used to make acrylic plastic, furniture, sculpture, store display, and lighting fixtures.

Acrylic Plastic Plexiglass

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 5: the shortcoming of acrylic plastic

Even though acrylic plastic and PMMA give us a lot of benefits, there are some drawbacks that people should concern. The toxic fumes are produced when the industries manufacture acrylic plastic. Moreover, PMMA is not easy to decompose and recycle.

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 6: acrylic plastic and other substances

Acrylic plastic can be found in other substances or materials such as dental cement, windshields and plumbing fixtures.

Acrylic Plastic Sheets

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 7: Plexiglas

Plexiglas is a kind of acrylic plastic. It is created by reacting acrylic or methacrylic with a catalyst called methyl methacrylate. Then it can produce Plexiglas or polymethyl methacrylate.

Facts about Acrylic Plastic 8: Acrylic lacquers

Acrylic lacquers are created form the acrylic plastic. It can be used to make a protective coating for outdoor decks and furnishing. The textiles or paper with shining and glossy finish are combined with acrylic plastic.