15 - Acrylic Plastics

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate) is, commercially, the most important member of a range of acrylic polymers, which may be considered structurally as the derivatives of acrylic acid. This family includes a range of polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and the important fiber-forming polymer, polyacrylonitrile. Methyl, ethyl, and allyl acrylate were first prepared in 1873. In 1880, Kahlbaum reported the polymerization of methyl acrylate and at the same time Fittig found that methacrylic acid and some of its derivatives readily polymerized. The first methacrylic esters were prepared by the dehydration of hydroxyisobutyric esters, prohibitively the expensive starting points for commercial synthesis. First introduced in 1946, acrylic rubbers have established themselves as an important special purpose rubbers with a useful combination of oil and heat resistance. Acrylic paints have become widely accepted particularly in the car industry. Very interesting reactive adhesives, including the well-known “super-glues” are also made from acrylic polymers. Today, a very wide range of acrylic materials is available with a broad property spectrum. The word acrylic, often used as a noun as well as an adjective in everyday use, can mean quite different things to different people. In the plastics industry, it is commonly taken to mean poly(methyl) methacrylate plastics, but the word has different meanings to the fiber chemist, and to those working in the paint and adhesives industries.