Functional Monomers

Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA)

Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA) is a clear, colorless, and volatile liquid monomer classified as a methacrylate ester. Represented by the CAS number 97-63-2, it serves as a critical building block in the global polymer industry. EMA is characterized by its ability to undergo rapid free-radical polymerization, forming high-performance homopolymers and copolymers that exhibit exceptional clarity, UV stability, and durability. Positioned between methyl methacrylate and butyl methacrylate in terms of performance characteristics, EMA provides a unique balance of glass transition temperature and mechanical properties. This versatility makes it an indispensable intermediate for specialized chemical synthesis. Its role in the market is defined by its contribution to high-quality resins used in demanding environments where traditional materials might fail. As a reactive monomer, it enables the customization of polymer chains, allowing manufacturers to fine-tune flexibility, adhesion, and chemical resistance for a wide range of industrial, dental, and consumer-facing applications.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

  • High Purity Levels: Our EMA is produced to stringent standards, ensuring consistent polymerization and high-quality end-products.
  • Improved Flexibility: Offers greater impact resistance and lower brittleness than methyl methacrylate counterparts.
  • Outstanding Weatherability: Provides superior resistance to yellowing and environmental degradation caused by UV exposure.
  • Versatile Copolymerization: Easily reacts with other monomers to create tailored acrylic resins with specific mechanical profiles.
  • Excellent Chemical Resistance: Finished polymers resist aliphatic hydrocarbons, oils, and various household chemicals.
  • Inhibitor Stability: Formulated with effective stabilizers to prevent premature polymerization during shipping and long-term storage.
Specifications

Technical Highlights

  • Chemical Profile: Molecular weight of 114.14 g/mol with a molecular formula of C6H10O2.
  • Physical Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic ester-like pungent odor.
  • Thermal Properties: Boiling point of 118-119°C and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of approximately 65°C for the homopolymer.
  • Solubility: Insoluble in water; fully miscible with organic solvents such as alcohols, esters, and ethers.
  • Safety/Handling: Low flash point of 20°C (closed cup) requires storage in explosion-proof, cool, and well-ventilated facilities.
  • Specific Gravity: Approximately 0.915 at 20°C, ensuring predictable volume-to-mass ratios during batch processing.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

  • Dental Prosthetics: Widely used in the manufacture of dentures, crowns, and bridges for its durability and aesthetic clarity.
  • Specialty Coatings: Key ingredient in automotive and industrial coatings for enhanced weather resistance and gloss retention.
  • Adhesives and Sealants: Utilized in high-strength bonding agents to improve flexibility and substrate adhesion.
  • Textile Industry: Applied in fiber treatments and finishing agents to improve fabric durability and moisture management.
  • Optical Components: Used to produce transparent acrylic sheets and lenses requiring high refractive indices.
  • Laboratory Research: Acts as an embedding medium for microscopy and a reagent in organic chemical synthesis.
Key Sectors

Target Industries

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