n-Butyl Methacrylate (n-BMA) CAS 97-88-1

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

• Q:

  What is n-Butyl Methacrylate n-BMA CAS 97-88-1?

  A: n-Butyl Methacrylate, commonly called n-BMA or BMA, is a methacrylate ester monomer with molecular formula C8H14O2. It is used as a reactive building block in acrylic and methacrylic polymer manufacture, not as a pre-polymer or finished resin solution.
• Q:

  Is n-Butyl Methacrylate the same as n-Butyl Acrylate?

  A: No. n-Butyl Methacrylate is a methacrylate monomer, while n-Butyl Acrylate is an acrylate monomer. The additional methyl group on the methacrylate backbone changes reactivity, Tg and final polymer hardness, so they are not interchangeable.
• Q:

  What glass transition temperature does n-BMA polymer have?

  A: The homopolymer Tg of n-butyl methacrylate is commonly about 20 deg C, giving an intermediate balance between hard and soft methacrylates. It is used to tune flexibility, weathering resistance, gloss and colour retention in copolymers.
• Q:

  What are the main applications of n-Butyl Methacrylate?

  A: n-BMA is used in industrial coatings, printing-ink and pigment-binder polymers, adhesive and sealant copolymers, and textile, leather or paper finishing emulsions. It is also used in oil additives and radiation-curable resin systems.
• Q:

  Why is inhibitor content controlled for n-Butyl Methacrylate?

  A: n-BMA can polymerise unintentionally during storage, so MEHQ inhibitor is normally added. Commercial grades commonly specify a controlled MEHQ range such as 5-15 ppm, and the exact type and level must be matched to the planned polymerisation process.
• Q:

  Which n-BMA data should be checked before use?

  A: Confirm identity as n-butyl methacrylate, purity, moisture, colour, acidity and inhibitor type and level. Typical bulk values include purity 99.5% min, density about 0.894-0.896 g/cm3, boiling point about 162-165 deg C and flash point about 50 deg C.