Question

What is the commercial name of PMMA? What is its use?

Answer 1

Hint: PMMA belongs to the family of synthetic polymers and hence have a day to day basic use. So, to answer this question think of where it can be used to make things.

Complete step by step solution:
PMMA- Polymethyl methacrylate
It is better known as acrylic and is sold under brand names such as Akrylon, Altuglas, Lucite, Perspex, Plazcryl, Plexiglas, Oroglas, Polycasa Acryl, Diakon, Acrypet and Polycasa XT.
-IUPAC name – Poly (methyl 2-methyl propanoate)
-Other names- Poly (methyl methacrylate), PMMA, Methyl methacrylate resin, Perspex.
PMMA is an economical alternative to polycarbonate when tensile strength, flexural strength, transparency, polishability, and UV tolerance are more important than impact strength, chemical resistance and heat resistance.
PMMA is a strong, tough, and lightweight material. It has a density of $1.17- 1.20 g/cm^3$, which is less than half that of glass. The impact strength of PMMA is higher than glass and polystyrene.
PMMA dissolves in many organic solvents. It has poor resistance to many chemicals because it has easily hydrolysing ester groups.
PMMA is a versatile material and hence used in a wide range of applications such as rear-lights and lenses for glasses. It is transparent and durable.
PMMA can be coloured, cut and drilled. It is tough and highly resistant to UV radiations.
Applications of PMMA-
-PMMA is used for constructing residential and aquariums.
-PMMA used for viewing ports and even complete pressure hulls of submersibles.
-PMMA is a widely used material to create toy and financial tombstones.

Note: There are many common names for PMMA but the commercial name is meant by its IUPAC name. Do note to use PMMA- Poly methyl methacrylate as the commercial name.