Definition
Acrylic acid is an unsaturated carboxylic acid extracted from propylene
Acryclic acid is a colorless pungent and corrosive liquid in polymerized form.
The formal name for acrylic acid is propenoic acid.
Acrylic acid is miscible with water, alcohols and esters.
Comments
Acrylic acid is produced from propylene as an ethylene by-product of ethane or naphtha steam cracking.
As carbonated acid, the acrylic acid reacts with alcohols to produce esters.
The acrylic acid esters are called acrylates.
In that respect, acrylic acid is the first ring of a long chemical value chain of derivatives under the form of these esters, used as building blocks for homo- and co-polymers such as:
– Butyl acrylate
– Ethyl acrylate
– 2-Ethyl-hexyl acrylate
– Methyl acrylate
Acrylic acid may also be combined with its own esters or acrylates to polyacrylic acid and other monomers such as acrylonitrile, vinyl, styrene, or butadiene.
These acrylic acid derivatives are then used in many applications such as:
– Paints and coating
– Adhesives
– Resins
– Synthetic rubber
– Fibers and textiles
– Detergents and cleaners
– Superabsorbents polymers (SAP) for personal care and hygiene
– Leather and clothings
– Plastics
– Construction materials
The polyacrylics, issued from the combination of acrylic acid with its own esters, form a group of thermoplastics offering high level of transparency well recognized for decorative applications and packaging.
These polyacrylics are also called acrylic plastics.
On commercial version, the most well known polyacrylics are the famous Plexiglass and Lucite.
As thermoplastics, the polyacrylics are easy to shape at a certain temperature in keeping this shape while cooling down.
