How do a liquid which includes just 5 carbon atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms provide for high quality purposes where thermal resistance, electrical resistance and mechanical strength is of prime importance? The answer is in a word – “Polymerisation”.
Through this infographic, we trace the journey of MMA (Methyl Methacrylate), a liquid monomer that’s polymerised to bring about PMMA polymer (Polymethyl Methacrylate), as well as various grades.


MMA may be polymerised to PMMA through solution polymerisation, emulsion polymerisation and bulk polymerisation techniques. All these reactions occur in the use of a catalyst. The resulting pmma thermoplastic may be modified to several shapes, sizes and forms with regards to the additives.
The varied grades of SUMIPEX®, the Polymethyl methacrylate resin created by Sumitomo Chemical, which are obtained on adding additives are:
• ‘High Impact Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Properties like high flow and good heat resistance get this to suited to manufacturing extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods, construction materials, automotive parts and industrial applications
• ‘Extrusion Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Good extrusion molding characteristics, high surface hardness, superb weatherability and excellent chemical resistance are the properties of the grade that favour its utilization in extruded sheets/ pipes/ rods.
• ‘Heat Resistant Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – Excellent heat resistance, excellent surface hardness and mechanical strength enables the usage of this grade in automotive parts such as tail lamp, instrument cluster, optical Lens, general lighting fixtures, etc.
• ‘Optical Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – With excellent heat resistance and flow properties, the optical grades with extremely low levels of foreign contaminants bring light Guide panels and optical lenses.
• ‘High Flow Grade of SUMIPEX® PMMA’- With characteristics like high-flow during injection molding and good moldability, this grade is usually recommended for intricate parts and thin-wall parts molding such as watch and clock cover, lighting cover, name plate, house ware, etc.
• ‘General Purpose Grades of SUMIPEX® PMMA’ – General Purpose Grades determine difference between normal and optical grades/special grades. General Purpose Grades like MH, LG, LG2, etc. are available under “Extrusion Grade”, “Heat Resistance Grade” and “High Flow Grade”. With balanced properties such as heat resistance and mechanical strength, this grade works in making wide range of products such as house ware, stationery, telephone buttons, piano keys, electrical accessories, ornaments, etc.
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