| Description | Butyl methacrylate (BMA) is the organic compound with the formula C4H9O2CC(CH3)=CH2. A colorless liquid, it is a common monomer for the preparation of methacrylate polymers. It is typically polymerized under free-radical conditions.
Butyl methacrylate is a versatile, plasticizing methacrylate monomer that acts as an important building block in many copolymer compositions. Serving as a base for acrylic resins, BMA provides exceptional weather resistance, high gloss, color retention, and durability. BMA contributes more intermediate glass transition and hardness values, with a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 20 °C. |
| Chemical Properties | clear colourless liquid with an ester-like odour |
| Chemical Properties | Butyl methacrylate is a flammable, colorless
liquid with a mild odor. |
| Uses | manufacture of methacrylic resins, solvent coatings, adhesives, oil additives; emulsions for textiles, leather and paper finishing;
cross-linking methacrylic monomer for use in dental composite materials, artificial nails, etc. |
| Uses | Monomer for resins, solvent coatings, adhe-
sives, oil additives; emulsions for textiles, leather,
and paper finishing.
|
| Uses | n-Butyl methacrylate is used as a monomer for resins,
solvent coatings, adhesives, oil additives, emulsions for
textiles, leather, and paper finishing and in the manufacture
of contact lenses . It is also used in dental resins,
oil dispersible pesticides, and acrylic surface coatings
and as copolymers, for example, in paraffin embedding
media . |
| Production Methods | n-Butyl methacrylate is produced by the reaction of
methacrylic acid or methyl methacrylate with butanol . |
| Definition | ChEBI: Butylmethacrylate is an enoate ester. |
| General Description | A clear colorless liquid. Flash point 130°F. Less dense (7.5 lb / gal) than water and insoluble in water. Hence floats on water. Vapors heavier than air. Used to make resins adhesives, and oil additives. |
| Air & Water Reactions | Flammable. Sensitive to moisture. Insoluble in water. |
| Reactivity Profile | Butyl methacrylate reacts exothermically with acids. Reacts with oxidizing agents. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is generated with caustic solutions. Generates flammable hydrogen with alkali metals and hydrides. Polymerizes easily . |
| Hazard | Toxic by ingestion. Moderate fire risk.
|
| Health Hazard | Inhalation may cause nausea because of offensive odor. Contact with liquid causes irritation of eyes and mild irritation of skin. Ingestion causes irritation of mouth and stomach. |
| Fire Hazard | Behavior in Fire: Containers may explode due to polymerization. |
| Chemical Reactivity | Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: May occur upon exposure to heat; Inhibitor of Polymerization: 9-15 ppm monomethyl ether of hydroquinone; 90-120 ppm hydroquinone. |
| Safety Profile | Moderately toxic by
intraperitoneal route. Mddly toxic by
ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. An
experimental teratogen. Experimental
reproductive effects. A skin irritant.
Flammable liquid when exposed to heat or
flame. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat or flame. Violent
polymerization can be caused by heat,
moisture, oxidizers. To fight fire, use foam,
dry chemical, CO2. When heated to
decomposition it emits acrid smoke and
irritating fumes. |
| Potential Exposure | Forms an explosive mixture with air.
Unless inhibitor is maintained at the proper level, oxidizers,
heat, ultraviolet light, contamination, or moisture may
cause polymerization. May accumulate static electrical
charges and cause ignition of its vapors. |
| Shipping | UN2227 Butyl methacrylate, stabilized, Hazard
Class: 3; Labels: 3—Flammable liquid. |
| Purification Methods | Purify as for butyl acrylate. [Beilstein 2 IV 1525.] |
| Incompatibilities | Forms an explosive mixture with air.
Unless inhibitor is maintained at the proper level, oxidizers,
heat, ultraviolet light, contamination, or moisture may
cause polymerization. May accumulate static electrical
charges and cause ignition of its vapors |
| Waste Disposal | Dissolve or mix the material
with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal,
state, and local environmental regulations must be
observed. |
