Acrylic acid: Overview
Description
The primary use of acrylic acid is in the production of acrylic esters and resins, which are used primarily in coatings and adhesives. It is also used in oil treatment chemicals, detergent intermediates, water treatment chemicals, and water absorbent polyacrylic acid polymers. Acrylic acid is used widely for polymerization, including production of polyacrylates. It is a monomer for polyacrylic and polymethacrylic acids and other acrylic polymers. It is used in the manufacture of plastics, as a tackifier, as a flocculant, in the production of water-soluble resins and salts, as a comonomer in acrylic emulsion and solution polymers and in molding powder for signs, construction units, decorative emblems and insignias. It is used in polymer solutions for coatings applications, in paint formulations, in leather finishings, in paper coatings, in polishes and adhesives and in general finishes and binders.
Substance details
Substance name: Acrylic acid
CASR number: 79-10-7
Molecular formula: C3H4O2
Synonyms: 2-Propenoic acid, acrylsyre, acide acrylique acido acrilico, acrylzuur, ethylenecarboxylic acid, vinylformic acid, acroleic acid.
Physical properties
Acrylic acid is a corrosive, colourless liquid with an acrid odour.
Boiling Point: 141.0°C
Melting Point: 14.0°C
Flash Point: 68°C (open cup)
Vapour Density: 2.45
Density: 1.0511 at 20°C
Vapour Pressure: 3.1 mm Hg at 20°C
Chemical properties
It is miscible with water, alcohol, ether, benzene, chloroform, and acetone. It polymerizes readily in the presence of oxygen. Exothermic polymerization at room temperature may cause acrylic acid to become explosive if confined. It is sensitive to heat and sunlight. It is normally supplied as the inhibited monomer (inhibited with 200 ppm hydroquinone monomethyl ether), but because of its relatively high freezing point it often partly solidifies and the solid phase (and the vapour) will then be free of the inhibitor which remains in the liquid phase. Even the un-inhibited form may be stored safely below the melting point, but such material will polymerize exothermically at ambient temperature and may accelerate to a violent or explosive state if confined. It is also a fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame. Acrylic acid is incompatible with strong oxidizers, strong bases, strong alkalies and pure nitrogen. It may polymerize (sometimes explosively) on contact with amines, ammonia, oleum and chlorosulfonic acid, iron salts and peroxides. It may corrode iron and steel.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of acrylic acid emissions in Australia.
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