'Acrylic polymer is derived from the monomer methyl metharcrylate or MMA Essay\r'

'When modern piece discovered plastic and its myriad of uses, at that place was no turning hind end. Today, plastics figured prominently in the lives of twenty-first century people. It is almost impossible to live easily without this substance. And among the many kinds of polymer there is perhaps nothing much versatile and very much in petition than acrylate resin resin polymers.\r\nThis paper will look into the chemical substance properties and the myriad of uses for the compound normally designated as PMMA or Polymethyl methacrylate.\r\ninterpersonal chemistry\r\n acrylic paint paint acid (H2C †CHCOOH) was synthesized in 1843 harmonize to Charles Carraher (2003, p. 160). Then he goes to add that ethyl methacrylate (H2C †C(CH3)COOC2H5) was synthesized and polymerized in 1865 and 1877, respectively (2003).\r\nWith regards to polymerization e.g. acrylic or methacrylic acid, it must be done in an aqueous issue at little than 20-30% c at one timentration (Feldman &a mp; Barbalata, 1996). â€Å" anyway water, a conventional recipe involves an initiating system (potassium persulfate and atomic number 11 thiosulfate) and chain transfer agent” (Feldman & Barbalata, 1996).\r\n acrylic polymer is derived from the monomer methyl metharcrylate or MMA. Polymers can be sh bed out into two groups: thermoplastics and thermosets. And that majority of them are thermoplastics meaning once the polymer is formed it can be heated and meliorate over and over again (see American Chemistry Council, 2007). This major attribute alone is enough to set more or less scientists and businessmen to be very interested in the application of the product. But interestingly there are many more surprises up the sleeves of the thermoplastic polymer.\r\nProperties\r\nThe adjacent attributes can be seen in most polymers and peculiarly so to acrylic polymers:\r\n1. Has a light transmittancy of about 92% †with particular clarity at impose wavelength of 27 0 to 350 nm (Whitaker, 1996)\r\n2. Has good resistance to weathering\r\n3. Good mechanical strength\r\n4. Dimensional stability a persistent with senior high school tensile and flexural strength (Whitaker, 1996)\r\n5. Chemical resistance †including salts, bases, aliphatic hydrocarbons, fats and oils, most common gases, and inorganic chemicals as swell up as dilute and concentrated solutions of most pedestal\r\nApplications\r\nAccording to Feldman and Barbalatat, the most important usage of acrylic polymer is in the manu situationure of adhesives, thickeners, coatings, flocculants, dispersants, eloquentizers, in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, ion exchange processes and stuff processing (1996).\r\nNow, a few years by and by acrylic polymer was first introduced by the scientific community, the state substance was first used as interlining for locomote windshields (Carraher, 2003). Since acrylic polymers exhibit good resistance to weathering it is wide used in thermoformed signs, aircraft windshields, and bathtubs.\r\nAcrylic polymers sport long been used in the manufacturing of cuvettes, tubing connectors, speculums,and many new(prenominal) medical devices requiring impact strength, chemical resistance, biocompatibility, and clarity. In fact it occupies a, â€Å"…prominent place in the market for clear, useable plastic †only glass transmits light as well” (Whitaker, 1996).\r\nIn the medical field, acrylic polymers have shown its versatility and all around usefulness. From the start medical professionals were already well acquainted with the substance because it was used in the manufacture of incubators.\r\nIn 1955 its stray of usage was spread out when the first acrylic prosthesis was implanted. This probably came afterward its success as a primary fabric for aircraft canopies during World War II †pilots suffered fewer infections from shards of acrylic than they had from glass (Whitaker, 1996).\r\nAside as an important fragment of cuvettes and tubing connectors, it is in addition used to produce interrogatory kits, luers, drainage wands, syringes, blood filters, blood pump housings, fluid silos, surgical blade dispensers, surgical trays etc.\r\nFinally, acrylic polymers is not only well-made in basis of chemical resistance, clarity as a thermoplastic, and durability which is highly prized in the medical field. This substance is also easily recyclable, â€Å"Acrylic burns extremely novel […] with end products of carbon dioxide and water. In addition, the material offers superior recyclability: acrylic can be reground and reused, which results in less material waste during molding” (Whitaker, 1996).\r\nBut there is more. The said material can be depolymerized back to its monomer, thoroughly purged of its impurities, and then can go spacious circle back into PMMA. This is a true recycle process, whereas most early(a) recycling processes involve suppress the materia l and using it in applications with lower specifications (Whitaker, 1996).\r\nIn the world of plastic, acrylic polymers belong to the top shelf. The range of its applications is a great help in the education of many industries especially in the medical field. Among other things it has provided cost-efficiency and safety concerning the medical practice and other industrial purposes.\r\nReferences\r\nAmerican Chemistry Council. (2007). The Basics †Polymer Definition and Properties.\r\nPlasticResource.com [online] Accessed 08 may 2007 from http: www.plasticresource.com/s_plasticresource/sec.asp? TRACKID=&CID=124&DID=226 Carraher, C. (2003). Giant Molecules: Essential Materials for casual Living and Problem\r\nSolving. New Jersey: conjuration Wiley & Sons, Inc. Feldman, D. & Barbalata, A. (1996). Synthetic Polymers: Technology, Properties, Applications. New York: Chapman and Hall. Whitaker, W. (1996). Acrylic Polymers: A Clear Focus. Medical Device industry [ online]\r\nAccessed 08 May 2007 from http: www.devicelink.com/mpb/archive/06/01/001.html.\r\n'