Functional Roles
Industries Served
Physical Properties
physical_description
Methyl methacrylate monomer appears as a clear colorless liquid. Slightly soluble in water and floats on water. Vapors heavier than air. Vapors irritate the eyes and respiratory system. Containers must be heavily insulated or shipped under refrigeration. An inhibitor such as hydroquinone, hydroquinone methyl ester and dimethyl t-butylphenol is added to keep the chemical from initiating polymerization. The chemical may polymerize exothermically if heated or contaminated with strong acid or base. If the polymerization takes place inside a container, the container may rupture violently. Used to make plastics.
color/form
Colorless volatile liquid
odor
Characteristic quality: sulfur-like, sweet, sharp; hedonic tone: unpleasant
boiling_point
213.8 u00b0F at 760 mmHg (NTP, 1992)
melting_point
-54 u00b0F (NTP, 1992)
flash_point
50 u00b0F; 10 u00b0C (open cup)
solubility
For more Solubility (Complete) data for Methyl methacrylate (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
density
Liquid heat capacity: 0.448 BTU/lb-F at 70 u00b0F; Liquid thermal conductivity: 1.023 BTU-in/hr-sq ft-F at 70 u00b0F; Saturated vapor density: 0.01119 lb/cu ft at 70 u00b0F; Ideal gas heat capacity: 0.361 BTU/lb-F at 75 u00b0F
vapor_density
3.45 (NTP, 1992) - Heavier than air; will sink (Relative to Air)
vapor_pressure
Vapor pressure, kPa at 20 u00b0C: 3.9
logp
log Kow = 1.38
autoignition_temperature
790 u00b0F (USCG, 1999)
decomposition
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
heat_of_combustion
-11,400 BTU/lb = 6,310 cal/g = -264X10+5 J/kg (estimated)
heat_of_vaporization
36.0 kJ/mol at 100.5 u00b0C
surface_tension
0.028 N/m at 20 u00b0C.
ionization_potential
9.70 eV
polymerization
Methyl methacrylate and other short chain alkyl-methacrylate esters are initially hydrolyzed by non-specific carboxylesterases to methacrylic acid and the structurally corresponding alcohol in several tissues. Methacrylic acid and the corresponding alcohol are subsequently cleared predominantly via the liver (valine pathway and the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle, respectively). The carboxylesterases are a group of non-specific enzymes that are widely distributed throughout the body and are known to show high activity within many tissues and organs, including the liver, blood, GI tract, nasal epithelium and skin ... Those organs and tissues that play an important role and/or contribute substantially to the primary metabolism of the short-chain, volatile, alkyl-methacrylate esters are the tissues at the primary point of exposure, namely the nasal epithelia and the skin, and systemically, the liver and blood. /Short chain alkyl-methacrylate esters/
odor_threshold
Odor Threshold Low: 0.01 [ppm]
refractive_index
Index of refraction: 1.4142 at 20 u00b0C
relative_evaporation_rate
3.1 (Butyl acetate = 1)
kovats_retention_index
1002
other_experimental_properties
Liquid water interfacial tension: 14.3 dynes = 0.0143 N/m at 22.7 u00b0C; Ratio of specific heats of vapor: 1.059; Heat of polymerization: -248 BTU/lb = -138 cal/g = -5.78X10+5 J/kg; Reid vapor pressure: 0.5 psia (approx)
GHS / SDS Safety
Danger
Irritant
Health Hazard
Flammable
- H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
- H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]
- H335 (98.3%): May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]
- H315 (> 99.9%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]
- H370: Causes damage to organs [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure]
- H334: May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled [Danger Sensitization, respiratory]
- H225: Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]
- H336: May cause drowsiness or dizziness [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Narcotic effects]
- H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child [Warning Reproductive toxicity]
- H225 (> 99.9%): Highly Flammable liquid and vapor [Danger Flammable liquids]
- H332: Harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H402: Harmful to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]
- H333: May be harmful if inhaled [Warning Acute toxicity, inhalation]
- H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]
- H317 (98.7%): May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]
- H372: Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure [Danger Specific target organ toxicity, repeated exposure]
- H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]
Chemical Identity
| CAS Number | 80-62-6 |
| IUPAC Name | methyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate |
| InChI Key | VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| PubChem CID | 6658 |
| INCI Name | METHYL METHACRYLATE |
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a reactive monomer with the molecular formula C5H8O2 that functions as a crosslinking and curing agent in polymer chemistry applications. This chemical serves critical roles in the coatings & construction and plastics & polymers industries, where it enables polymerization reactions to form durable thermoplastic and thermoset materials. MMA exhibits a boiling point of 213.8°F and a flash point of 50°F, requiring appropriate handling protocols due to its flammable and irritant properties.