About Methyl Methacrylate. Methyl Methacrylate (a.k.a. MMA) is an organic compound belonging to the ester class. MMA began being commercially produced in 1933, after the discovery of the acetone cyanohydrin route. Since then, numerous production methods have been developed, particularly since Methyl Methacrylate is the base monomer for the production of PMMA, a versatile and widely manufactured plastic. MMA is tipically produced on a commercial scale from hydrocarbon raw materials, derived primarily from natural gas or crude oil. The acetone cyanohydrin route is one of the the most commonly used method in commercial MMA production.

Methyl Methacrylate is a colorless and volatile liquid that has a fruity odor. It is slightly soluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents. Various manufacturing routes for MMA production exist, which are classified based on the hydrocarbon raw material used. These routes include the C-2 route using ethylene, the C-3 route using propylene, and the C-4 route using isobutane/isobutylene. Additionally, there is an alternative route that uses methanol as a raw material.

Methyl Methacrylate Handling. Methyl Methacrylate is typically stored and transported in tanks made of mild steel or stainless steel, with Types 304 and 316 being the most common choices. Rail cars or tanker trucks are the preferred modes of transportation. It is important to note that MMA can slowly react with oxygen, resulting in the formation of peroxides, hydroperoxides, and similar compounds. To prevent this, it is recommended to add polymerization inhibitors like methyl ether of hydroquinone (MEHQ) during storage. It is also advisable to maintain storage temperatures between 20-25 °C, as higher temperatures can accelerate the formation of these compounds, but temperatures below 20 °C should be avoided to prevent freezing.

Methyl Methacrylate Production. Until the beginning of the 1980’s, Methyl Methacrylate was primarily produced from the acetone cyanohydrin (C-3) process. Since then, due to issues like high costs of waste handling, raw materials tight supply, different processes arose, based on oxidation of isobutylene, oxidation of isobutane, condensation of formaldehyde and propionic acid, among others. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Methyl Methacrylate are listed below.

Methyl Methacrylate Uses. The uses and applications of Methyl Methacrylate may vary according to its specification. The main forms of Methyl Methacrylate are pure or mixed with a polimerization inhibitor. Although it can be marketed in its pure form, when the required degree of purity is very high (e.g., polymerization for electronic components), it is more common for Methyl Methacrylate to be mixed with inhibitors to prevent polymerization and slow reactions with oxygen, thereby extending the product's shelf life.

MMA is a key raw material used for the production of a variety of polymers and copolymers, which find extensive applications across different industries.  For instance, these polymers and copolymers are used to make acrylic sheets and molds, plastics used in sheet form for glazing, signs, displays, and lighting panels, as well as durable coatings, inks, oil additives, water-soluble thickeners, and detergent additives.