PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate/acrylic) Material Data Sheet (Molding and Extrusion)

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Designation

Polymethylmethacrylate (Molding and Extrusion); “Acrylic”

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Tradenames

Acrigel, Acryl, Acrylite, Acrypet, Acryrex, Alathon, Altuglas, Anjacryl, Aristech, Astaglas, Claradex, Colorrx, Cyrolite, Delpet, Diakon, Elvacite, Elvakon, Goldrex, Lucite, Maxiglas, Next, Optix, Parapet, Permastat, Perspex, Plaskolite, Plexiglas, Plexiglas Satinice, Polyman, Polyplex, Shinkolite-P, Solarkote, Sumipex, Terez, Trimma, Tufcoat

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Typical uses

Light fittings, display signs, domestic baths, packaging, safety spectacles, tool handles, motorcycle windscreens, baby incubators

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Compositional summary

(CH2-C(CH3)COOCH3)n
Material family	Plastic (thermoplastic, amorphous)
Base material	PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate / acrylic)
Polymer code	PMMA

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Composition detail

Polymer

100

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Physical properties

Density

1.17

–

1.2

g/cm³

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Mechanical properties

Young’s modulus	2.24	–	3.24	GPa
Specific stiffness	1.89	–	2.74	MN.m/kg
Yield strength (elastic limit)	53.8	–	72.4	MPa
Tensile strength	48.3	–	72.4	MPa
Specific strength	45.4	–	61.1	kN.m/kg
Elongation	2	–	5.5	% strain
Compressive modulus	2.54	–	3.16	GPa
Compressive strength	72.4	–	124	MPa
Flexural modulus	2.23	–	3.16	GPa
Flexural strength (modulus of rupture)	72.4	–	131	MPa
Shear modulus	0.803	–	1.16	GPa
Bulk modulus	4.18	–	4.39	GPa
Poisson’s ratio	0.387	–	0.403
Shape factor	4.9
Hardness – Vickers	16	–	22	HV
Hardness – Rockwell M	68	–	105
Hardness – Rockwell R	113	–	124
Elastic stored energy (springs)	524	–	997	kJ/m³
Fatigue strength at 10^7 cycles	15.2	–	16.8	MPa

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Impact & fracture properties

Fracture toughness	0.7	–	1.6	MPa.m^0.5
Toughness (G)	0.203	–	0.85	kJ/m²
Impact strength, notched 23 °C	1.9	–	2.1	kJ/m²
Impact strength, notched -30 °C	1.9	–	2.1	kJ/m²
Impact strength, unnotched 23 °C	17.9	–	20.7	kJ/m²
Impact strength, unnotched -30 °C	16.2	–	20.8	kJ/m²

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Thermal properties

Glass temperature	100	–	110	°C
Heat deflection temperature 0.45MPa	92	–	102	°C
Heat deflection temperature 1.8MPa	87	–	97	°C
Vicat softening point	96	–	106	°C
Maximum service temperature	44	–	56	°C
Minimum service temperature	-75	–	-65	°C
Thermal conductivity	0.167	–	0.251	W/m.°C
Specific heat capacity	1.4e3	–	1.52e3	J/kg.°C
Thermal expansion coefficient	90	–	162	µstrain/°C
Thermal shock resistance	134	–	274	°C
Thermal distortion resistance	0.0012	–	0.00239	MW/m

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Electrical properties

Electrical resistivity	3.3e23	–	3e24	µohm.cm
Electrical conductivity	5.75e-23	–	5.22e-22	%IACS
Dielectric constant (relative permittivity)	3.2	–	3.4
Dissipation factor (dielectric loss tangent)	0.05	–	0.06
Dielectric strength (dielectric breakdown)	15.7	–	19.7	MV/m
Comparative tracking index	600			V

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Magnetic properties

Magnetic type

Non-magnetic

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Optical, aesthetic and acoustic properties

Refractive index	1.49	–	1.5
Transparency	Optical quality
Acoustic velocity	1.37e3	–	1.66e3	m/s
Mechanical loss coefficient (tan delta)	0.0123	–	0.0179

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Absorption & permeability

Water absorption @ 24 hrs	0.1	–	0.4	%
Water vapor transmission	1.62	–	1.79	g.mm/m².day
Permeability (O2)	4.31	–	7.19	cm³.mm/m².day.atm

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Processing properties

Polymer injection molding	Acceptable
Polymer extrusion	Excellent
Polymer thermoforming	Acceptable
Linear mold shrinkage	0.1	–	0.8	%
Melt temperature	163	–	260	°C
Molding pressure range	34.4	–	138	MPa

PMMA (Molding and Extrusion) Durability

Water (fresh)	Excellent
Water (salt)	Excellent
Weak acids	Acceptable
Strong acids	Unacceptable
Weak alkalis	Excellent
Strong alkalis	Excellent
Organic solvents	Unacceptable
Oxidation at 500C	Unacceptable
UV radiation (sunlight)	Good
Flammability	Highly flammable