Acrylic resin
Acrylic resins are a group of related thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic substances derived from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or other related compounds.[1] Polymethyl acrylate is an acrylic resin used in an emulsified form for lacquer, textile finishes, adhesives and, when mixed with clay, to gloss paper.[2] Another acrylic resin is polymethyl methacrylate, which is used to make hard plastics with various light transmitting properties.
Formulae
The chemical name for the resin produced from the methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). MMA is a transparent and colorless fluid substance.[3] A characteristic feature of PMMA is its high transparency. It is also highly resistant to weather damage; it does not easily turn yellow or crumble when exposed to sunlight and has been known to last over thirty years. Polymethyl methacrylate is used for various translucent and transparent items such as aquariums, signboards, automobile taillights, bathtub liners, sinks, cell phone display screens, and backlight optical waveguides for liquid crystal displays (LCD).
Advantages as an ingredient in paint
Acrylic resin is a common ingredient in latex paint (UK: "emulsion paint"). Interior and exterior latex paints with a greater proportion of acrylic resin, versus vinyl, offer better stain protection, greater water resistance, better adhesion, greater resistance to cracking and blistering, and resistance to alkali cleansers.[4] Acrylic resin is considered extremely weatherproof. This makes it ideal for outdoor applications. In solid form acrylic resin can even last for decades. It does not yellow when exposed to sunlight, even after years.[5]
Current market and forecast
The global demand for acrylic resins approached roughly US $14.5 billion in 2011. With an annual growth rate of 4–5%, the acrylic resin market is forecast to reach $22 billion by 2020. Currently, acrylic resins are most often used in automotive parts, medical devices, paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and construction.[6]
Microbial degradation
Black Cladosporium attacked dried acrylic resin samples from Milan cathedral[7] using melanin.[8]
See also
References
- ^ acrylic resin definition, TheFreeDictionary quoting The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
- ^ http://www.dow.com/acrylates/app/
- ^ Methyl Methacrylate Archived May 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine epa.gov, 2000, 'a colorless, volatile, flammable liquid that is soluble in warm water'
- ^ Dean Sickler. "Water-based Alchemy". Retrieved August 11, 2012.
- ^ [1] World Acrylic Acid Market - Opportunities and Forecasts, 2013 - 2020.
- ^ "Market Report: Global Acrylic Resin Market". Acmite Market Intelligence.
- ^ Cappitelli F; Principi P; Pedrazzani R; Toniolo L; Sorlini C (2007). "Bacterial and fungal deterioration of the Milan Cathedral marble treated with protective synthetic resins". Science of the Total Environment. 385: 172–81. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.06.022. PMID 17658586.
- ^ Cappitelli F; Nosanchuk JD; Casadevall A; Toniolo L; Brusetti L; Florio S,; Principi P; Borin S; Sorlini C (Jan 2007). "Synthetic consolidants attacked by melanin-producing fungi: case study of the biodeterioration of Milan (Italy) cathedral marble treated with acrylics". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 73: 271–277. doi:10.1128/AEM.02220-06. PMC 1797126. PMID 17071788.
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