Functional Monomers

Tert-Butyl Methacrylate (t-BMA)

Tert-Butyl Methacrylate (t-BMA), registered under CAS number 585-07-9, is a sophisticated specialty monomer belonging to the methacrylate ester family. It serves as a fundamental building block in the synthesis of acrylic polymers and copolymers. Characterized by its bulky tert-butyl side chain, t-BMA imparts unique physical and chemical properties to the materials it helps form, most notably influencing the glass transition temperature (Tg) and steric behavior. This clear, colorless liquid is prized in the chemical industry for its high reactivity and ability to enhance the durability of resins. Its primary role in the market involves high-end applications where thermal stability, weatherability, and resistance to hydrolysis are paramount. As a versatile intermediate, t-BMA allows manufacturers to engineer specific performance characteristics, bridging the gap between commodity acrylates and specialized engineering plastics. It remains a critical component for innovative material science, supporting advancements in coatings, electronics, and medical technologies.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Exceptional purity ensuring reproducible polymerization cycles and high-quality end products.
The bulky tert-butyl structure significantly elevates the glass transition temperature, providing superior structural rigidity.
Enhanced hydrophobic character offers excellent resistance to water and chemical degradation.
Outstanding thermal stability allows for use in demanding environmental conditions.
Good compatibility with various organic solvents simplifies the formulation process for coatings and adhesives.
UV stability prevents yellowing and degradation in outdoor exposures.
Its unique steric hindrance provides precise control over polymer architecture, allowing for the creation of tailored materials with specific mechanical and physical properties.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Physical state: Clear, colorless liquid.
Molecular Formula: C8H14O2.
Molecular Weight: 142.20 g/mol.
Boiling Point: 143°C.
Density: 0.875 g/cm³ at 25°C.
Purity: Typically 99% or higher.
Solubility: Practically insoluble in water; highly soluble in alcohols, ethers, and aliphatic/aromatic hydrocarbons.
Storage: Must be stored in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area, ideally below 25°C, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent spontaneous polymerization.
Inhibitor: Commonly stabilized with MEHQ (Hydroquinone Monomethyl Ether) for transport and storage.
Flash Point: Approximately 32°C, classifying it as a flammable liquid requiring standard safety protocols for hazardous materials.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Widely used in automotive and architectural coatings for improved weather resistance and gloss retention.
Essential in the production of high-performance acrylic resins and specialized adhesives.
Critical for manufacturing photoresists used in semiconductor and microelectronics fabrication.
Applied in dental restorative materials and orthopedic cements due to its mechanical strength.
Used as a comonomer for plastic modifiers to enhance impact toughness.
Found in clear-coat finishes for marine and aerospace components.
Serves as a key reagent in research laboratories for developing block copolymers and stimuli-responsive materials.
Utilized in the synthesis of specialty ink binders and textile finishing agents.