[Chemical Knowledge]：The nature, use, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, is hydroxyethyl methacrylate dangerous?

Properties of hydroxyethyl methacrylate

2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA) is a clear, colorless liquid with a faint peculiar odor. Its chemical formula is C6H10O3 and its molecular weight is 130.14g/mol. HEMA has high polarity and hydrophilicity, and the hydroxyl group (-OH) and methacrylate group (-COOCH3) in its molecular structure give it unique physical and chemical properties. The boiling point is about 213°C, the flash point is 108°C, and it is relatively stable at room temperature and pressure, but it is easy to polymerize at high temperature or exposed to ultraviolet light. In terms of its solubility, HEMA can be miscible with water, ethanol, ether and other organic solvents.

Uses of hydroxyethyl methacrylate

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate is widely used in many fields. As an important monomer material, HEMA is widely used in the preparation of various polymers, especially in the manufacture of acrylic resins and acrylic copolymers, because it can give materials better toughness and transparency. In the medical field, HEMA is an important raw material for soft contact lenses, artificial lenses, and dental materials (such as dental braces and dental fillings), mainly due to its good biocompatibility and oxygen permeability. In the coatings and adhesives industry, HEMA is used as a crosslinking agent and toughening agent to improve the wear resistance and adhesion of products. HEMA is also used to prepare special materials such as light-cured resins and water-based emulsions.

Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Upstream Feedstock

The main upstream feedstocks for the production of hydroxyethyl methacrylate include methacrylic acid (Methacrylic Acid, MAA) and ethylene glycol (Ethylene Glycol). Methacrylic acid is usually produced by esterification of acrylic acid, which is produced by an oxidation process using propylene as the main raw material. Ethylene glycol, as another key raw material, is obtained mainly from ethylene through the ethylene oxide production chain. The process of producing HEMA is usually an esterification reaction between MAA and ethylene glycol in the presence of an acidic catalyst, and the resulting product is then separated and purified to finally obtain high-purity HEMA.

Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Downstream Products

There is a wide range of downstream products of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, covering many fields. Its main downstream products are various types of acrylate copolymers and acrylic resins, which are widely used in coatings, adhesives, textile auxiliaries and other fields. Specific products include transparent nail polish, industrial coatings, paper coatings and special functional films. On the other hand, HEMA is also used as a key component in the manufacture of high-performance light-cured resin materials, which have broad applications in 3D printing, lithography and high-end coatings. In the medical industry, downstream products are mainly soft contact lenses and medical implants, which require high purity and biocompatibility of HEMA.

STORAGE METHOD OF HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE

Due to the chemical nature of hydroxyethyl methacrylate, special care is required during storage. HEMA should be stored in a cool, dry and well-ventilated warehouse, protected from direct sunlight and high temperature to prevent spontaneous polymerization. The container shall be a closed plastic drum or steel drum protected from light, and an appropriate amount of polymerization inhibitor (such as p-methoxyphenol) shall be added to the drum to prevent polymerization. The warehouse should be far away from fire and heat sources, and equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment, storage area should be equipped with explosion-proof measures. The tightness of the storage container and the effectiveness of the polymerization inhibitor should be checked regularly to ensure that the storage environment meets safety standards. Operators should wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles and protective clothing, to avoid direct skin and eye contact when exposed to HEMA.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material, hydroxyethyl methacrylate has attracted wide attention because of its unique physical and chemical properties and wide application fields. From the upstream raw materials required for its production, to its specific applications in various industries, to the requirements for safe storage, a detailed understanding of all aspects of HEMA is of great significance to promote its application in the industrial and medical fields. In the future, with the progress of technology and the change of market demand, the application prospect of hydroxyethyl methacrylate will be broader, and its potential in the field of new material development and high-performance polymer will be further explored.