Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic with a density of 1150-1190 kg/m3 and can transmit 97% of visible light. It is utilized in diverse applications such as aquarium construction, aircraft windows, helmet visors, and as a bone cement in orthopedics, due to its tensile strength surpassing that of glass. PMMA poses recycling challenges due to its energy-intensive processes and environmental risks.

1. Poly Methyl Methacrylate

2. What is PMMA?
PMMA - Poly Methyl Methacrylate (C₅O₂H₈)n
It is a thermoplastic and transparent plastic.
Chemically, it is a synthetic polymer of Methyl
Methacrylate
PMMA Pellets

3. Preparation:
Suspension polymerisation
Radical polymerisation

4. Transparent Property:
Density of PMMA: 1150 - 1190 kg/m³
Density of Glass: 2400 - 2800 kg/m³
It can transmit 97% of visible light ( 3-mm thickness)
Glass PMMA

5. Applications:
In Aquariums

6. Applications:
At residents:

7. Applications:
Viewing dome in airbus helicopters Exterior lights of automobiles:

8. Strength properties:
Tensile Strength of PMMA: 70 MPa
Tensile Strength of glass: 27 MPa to 62 MPa
PMMA breaks into large dull - edged pieces

9. Applications:
Helmet visor: Aircraft Windows Panes

10. Property:
Daylight Redirection:
PMMA can be used in laser - cut panels to redirect sunlight into a light pipe and
then spread it into a room.

11. Property:
Orthopaedics:
Bone cement:
Bone cement, a derivative of PMMA,
when mixed with liquid MMA yields a
dough-like cement that gradually
hardens.
It has excellent compatibility with
tissues.

12. Applications:
Used to affix implants and remodel
lost bones

13. Few more applications:
Acrylic paint:
Acrylic paint is nothing but
PMMA suspended in water.

14. Few more applications:
Acrylic glass:
Acrylic glasses are used to make
opaque objects translucent.

15. Recycling problems:
Requires a lot of energy
Contains toxic contents and potential environmental hazard
Not biodegradable

16. Recycling methods:
Pyrolysis:
Molecular breakdown of larger
molecules to smaller molecules
At extremely high temperature
In the absence of Oxygen Pyrolysis machine

17. Recycling methods
Thermal depolymerization:
Heating PMMA until the monomers (C₅O₂H₈) are separate.

18. Presentation by,
Nirmal Kumar. A
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