Acrylates, High-Purity Solvents

2-Ethylhexyl Methacrylate (EHMA)

2-Ethylhexyl Methacrylate (EHMA) is a clear, colorless liquid monomer with a characteristic ester-like odor, extensively utilized in the specialty chemical industry. As a branched-chain alkyl methacrylate, it possesses a high molecular weight and a low glass transition temperature, typically around -10 degrees Celsius. This chemical structure imparts significant internal plasticization and flexibility to the resulting polymers. EHMA is essentially insoluble in water but exhibits excellent solubility in most organic solvents, such as alcohols, ethers, and hydrocarbons. Its primary function involves radical polymerization, where it reacts readily with other monomers like acrylic acid or methyl methacrylate to form versatile copolymers. These copolymers exhibit superior resistance to weathering, moisture, and ultraviolet radiation, making EHMA a preferred choice for high-performance coatings. Furthermore, its low volatility and high boiling point contribute to its stability during processing and application, ensuring consistent performance in diverse industrial environments and sophisticated chemical synthesis projects globally. This substance dominates.

Attributes

Key Features and Benefits

Enhanced Hydrophobicity: Provides excellent water and moisture resistance to copolymers due to its long alkyl chain structure and non-polar nature.
Internal Plasticization: Effectively lowers the glass transition temperature of polymer matrices, eliminating the need for adding potentially migratory external plasticizing agents.
Weathering Durability: Offers exceptional resistance against UV degradation and atmospheric oxidation, maintaining structural integrity and surface appearance in outdoor settings.
Low Volatility: High boiling point ensures minimal evaporation during radical polymerization processes and high-temperature industrial applications or curing cycles.
Broad Compatibility: Easily undergoes free-radical copolymerization with various acrylic, methacrylic, and vinyl monomers to customize mechanical and chemical properties.

Specifications

Technical Highlights

Molecular Formula and Mass: C12H22O2 with a molar mass of approximately 198.30 g/mol, which is essential for precise high-purity laboratory synthesis.
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): The resulting homopolymer displays a Tg of approximately -10°C, providing the necessary soft segment flexibility and low-temperature performance.
Density and Refractive Index: Specific gravity is recorded as 0.885 g/cm³ at 20°C, and the refractive index typically measures at a value of 1.439.
Flash Point and Boiling Point: The boiling point is 214°C at 760 mmHg, while the flash point is approximately 92°C, requiring specific safety protocols.
Inhibitor Specification: Usually stabilized with Hydroquinone Monomethyl Ether (MEHQ) at 10-100 ppm to prevent premature polymerization during storage and transport.

Download Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

Practical industry uses

Applications

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives: Used to manufacture high-performance tapes and labels requiring high tack, peel strength, and consistent performance in cold environment conditions.
Automotive Coatings: Key ingredient in high-durability clearcoats providing scratch resistance, chemical stability, and gloss retention for high-end vehicle exterior finishes.
Textile Auxiliaries: Applied in specialty fabric finishes and fiber treatments to enhance water repellency, durability, and soft-hand feel characteristics in apparel.
Oil Additives: Extensively utilized in the production of viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for high-performance automotive and industrial lubricants.
Printing Inks: Frequently incorporated into UV-curable and solvent-based inks to significantly improve adhesion on various non-polar substrates and specialized plastic films.