[Chemical Knowledge]：The properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods, methyl methacrylate technical instructions.

Basic properties of methyl methacrylate

Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C5H8O2. It is a colorless transparent liquid at normal temperature and pressure, with a pungent smell. It has a density of 0.94g/cm³, a boiling point of 100.3°C and a melting point of -48.2°C. MMA is volatile, has a high refractive index and good fluidity. Its solubility in water is low, but it can be miscible with most organic solvents, and it is more active in chemical properties. It can undergo polymerization to generate polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), that is, organic glass.

Uses of methyl methacrylate

as an important chemical raw material, methyl methacrylate has a wide range of applications. Its main uses include:

1. organic glass production: MMA is the main monomer for the manufacture of PMMA (organic glass). PMMA has excellent transparency and impact resistance, and is widely used in construction, billboards, car lampshades, aviation transparent parts and other fields.
2. Coatings and adhesives: MMA can be used to produce high-performance coatings and adhesives, especially in the automotive industry and construction fields. These coatings have the characteristics of good weather resistance, high gloss and strong adhesion.
3. Medical Materials: PMMA is also used to manufacture bone cement and dental materials in orthopedic surgery. Its excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties make it an ideal medical material.
4. Other Applications MMA can also be used as an important raw material in the fields of optical fiber coatings, electrical insulation materials, optical materials and synthetic resins.

Upstream and downstream raw materials of methyl methacrylate

upstream raw materials

the production of MMA mainly depends on the following upstream raw materials:

1. acetone cyanohydrin MMA is produced by the acetone cyanohydrin route, which reacts with hydrocyanic acid to produce acetone cyanohydrin and then with methanol to produce MMA.
2. isobutylene another major production process is the isobutylene method, where isobutylene reacts with oxygen and acetic acid to produce tert-butyl acetate, which then reacts with cracking and transesterification to produce MMA.
3. Methanol: As an important raw material in the above two processes, the supply and price of methanol directly affect the production cost of MMA.

Downstream Products

the downstream products of MMA mainly include:

1. polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): The most important downstream products, widely used in transparent plastic products.
2. Coatings and adhesives: Used in various industrial and consumer goods sectors.
3. Copolymer copolymer with other monomers to produce a variety of excellent performance of the copolymer, used in electronics, electrical, building materials and other fields.

Production process of methyl methacrylate

at present, the main processes for the production of MMA include acetone cyanohydrin, isobutylene and ethylene. Acetone cyanohydrin method is widely used because of its high economic efficiency and low environmental pollution. The isobutene rule has been applied in some regions because of its easy availability of raw materials and simple production process. Although the ethylene method is technically complex, it has gradually received attention in recent years due to its low cost of raw materials.

Storage method of methyl methacrylate

MMA is volatile and flammable, so the following points need to be paid special attention to during storage and transportation:

1. storage Environment: It should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse, away from fire and heat sources, and avoid direct sunlight. The storage temperature should be controlled between 5-30°C to keep the container sealed to prevent leakage and moisture absorption.
2. Container Requirements steel or aluminum containers are usually used, and the inner wall of the container needs anti-corrosion treatment to prevent corrosion caused by the reaction of MMA and metal.
3. Safety measures: The warehouse should be equipped with corresponding fire fighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, etc., and regularly check. Operators should wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles to avoid skin contact and vapor inhalation.

Market Prospect of Methyl Methacrylate

MMA market demand is mainly driven by the development of the construction industry, automobile industry, advertising industry and electronic appliances. With the development of economy and the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for high-performance materials is increasing, and the market prospect of MMA and its downstream products is broad. The increasingly stringent environmental regulations also encourage enterprises to continuously optimize production processes, reduce energy consumption and emissions, and increase the added value of products.

Conclusion

as an important organic chemical raw material, methyl methacrylate plays an important role in various industrial fields due to its unique properties and wide range of uses. By continuously optimizing the production process and improving the storage method, the production and application of MMA will usher in a broader development prospect. Driven by market demand, the MMA industry will continue to maintain steady growth in the future and show more application potential in emerging fields.