PMMA is a synthetic material based on polymethyl methacrylate, which has high light transmittance. The material is more commonly known as perspex. Transparent PMMAs is used for glazing and manufacturing of advertising light boxes. The material is more flexible and plastic than silicon glass, so it gained popularity among artisans. Organic glass is stronger and safer than usual, so it has found wide application in the manufacture of anti-vandal showcases and doors. In the article we will talk about PMMA: what is it, where it is used and how it is produced. PMMA is also used to produce plafonds and diffusers for lighting fixtures.
Areas of use
Organic glass, was invented in 1928 of the last century and patented in 1933. The material was used in the aircraft industry, as it had no analogues in combining, strength, safety and transparency. Currently, PMMA is used in machine building for the glazing of vehicles: boats and aircraft. The material has found wide application in the construction and decoration of buildings. PMMAs is used for the production of partitions, transparent floors with internal illumination, stairs, roofs, domes, doors, aquariums. Due to a wide range of applications of PMMA species there are various different types: Transparent, colored, relief, etc.
It is worth noting that PMMA is a material that has found application in medicine, in particular, in ophthalmology. From it, an artificial intraocular lens is made to replace the clouded lens in the eye. PMMA is used in the manufacture of decorative production, as it is easy to handle without the use of special equipment. PMMA is excellent for making imitations of the Baltic amber.
Benefits of PMMA
The main advantages of using PMMAs are low thermal conductivity. Due to this quality, PMMA is one of the best materials for glazing of greenhouses. Good light transmittance. Transparent PMMA allows to penetrate up to 92% of light and does not lose performance during exploitation. Resistance to high and low temperatures, moisture, bacteria, chemicals. The material is suitable for glazing shower cabins, production of aquariums, exterior cladding.
PMMA is 5 times more resistant to impact than silicon glass. PMMA is 2.5 times lighter than conventional glass, so it does not require the installation of heavy-duty implement and carcass when installing ceilings, floors, stairs, partitions and doors. The material does not break into sharp fragments and does not emit toxic substances during combustion.
Ease of processing. For cutting and molding PMMAs does not need special tools, processing PMMA is not more difficult than processing wood.
Disadvantages
It should be noted that PMMA is a material that has a number of significant drawbacks. PMMA is easily ignited, therefore it was necessary to refuse from it in aircraft building. The material is not scratch resistant. In the manufacture of doors, partitions, floors, PMMAs is additionally pasted by an abrasion resistant polymer film, which protects the surface from scratches and other mechanical damages, while increasing the strength of the panel.