METHYL METHACRYLATE MONOMER

Diamond	Hazard	Value	Description
3 2 2	Health	2	Can cause temporary incapacitation or residual injury.
	Flammability	3	Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.
	Instability	2	Readily undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated temperatures and pressures.
	Special

A clear colorless liquid. Slightly soluble in water and floats on water. Vapors heavier than air. Vapors irritate the eyes and respiratory system. Containers must be heavily insulated or shipped under refrigeration. An inhibitor such as hydroquinone, hydroquinone methyl ester and dimethyl t-butylphenol is added to keep the chemical from initiating polymerization. The chemical may polymerize exothermically if heated or contaminated with strong acid or base. If the polymerization takes place inside a container, the container may rupture violently. Used to make plastics.

• Highly Flammable
• Polymerizable
• Peroxidizable Compound

Highly flammable. Very slightly soluble in water.

Behavior in Fire: Vapor is heavier than air and may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back. Containers may explode in fire or when heated because of polymerization. (USCG, 1999)

Irritation of eyes, nose, and throat. Nausea and vomiting. Liquid may cause skin irritation. (USCG, 1999)

METHYL METHACRYLATE MONOMER, may polymerize if contaminated or subjected to heat. If polymerization takes place in a container, the container is subject to violent rupture. Oxidizes readily in air to form unstable peroxides that may explode spontaneously [Bretherick 1979. p.151-154, 164]. Peroxides may also initiate exothermic polymierization of the bulk material [Bretherick 1979. p. 160]. Benzoyl peroxide was weighed into a beaker that had previously been rinsed with methyl methacrylate. The peroxide catalyzed polymerization of the methyl methacrylate and the build-up of heat ignited the remaining peroxide [MCA Case History 996. 1964].

• Acrylates and Acrylic Acids
• Polymerizable Compounds

Use caution: Liquids with this reactive group classification have been known to react with the absorbents listed below.

• Cellulose-Based Absorbents
• Mineral-Based & Clay-Based Absorbents
• Dirt/Earth

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE: Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.

LARGE SPILL: Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 300 meters (1000 feet).

FIRE: If tank, rail tank car or highway tank is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions; also, consider initial evacuation for 800 meters (1/2 mile) in all directions. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

CAUTION: The majority of these products have a very low flash point. Use of water spray when fighting fire may be inefficient.

SMALL FIRE: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray or alcohol-resistant foam. Do not use dry chemical extinguishers to control fires involving nitromethane (UN1261) or nitroethane (UN2842).

LARGE FIRE: Water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam. Avoid aiming straight or solid streams directly onto the product. If it can be done safely, move undamaged containers away from the area around the fire.

FIRE INVOLVING TANKS, RAIL TANK CARS OR HIGHWAY TANKS: Fight fire from maximum distance or use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles. Cool containers with flooding quantities of water until well after fire is out. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety devices or discoloration of tank. ALWAYS stay away from tanks in direct contact with flames. For massive fire, use unmanned master stream devices or monitor nozzles; if this is impossible, withdraw from area and let fire burn. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from ERG Guide 129 [Flammable Liquids (Water-Miscible / Noxious); polymerization hazard]:

ELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area. All equipment used when handling the product must be grounded. Do not touch or walk through spilled material. Stop leak if you can do it without risk. Prevent entry into waterways, sewers, basements or confined areas. A vapor-suppressing foam may be used to reduce vapors. Absorb or cover with dry earth, sand or other non-combustible material and transfer to containers. Use clean, non-sparking tools to collect absorbed material.

LARGE SPILL: Dike far ahead of liquid spill for later disposal. Water spray may reduce vapor, but may not prevent ignition in closed spaces. (ERG, 2024)

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Methyl methacrylate:

Skin: PREVENT SKIN CONTACT - Wear appropriate personal protective clothing to prevent skin contact.

Eyes: PREVENT EYE CONTACT - Wear appropriate eye protection to prevent eye contact.

Wash skin: WHEN CONTAMINATED - The worker should immediately wash the skin when it becomes contaminated.

Remove: WHEN WET (FLAMMABLE) - Work clothing that becomes wet should be immediately removed due to its flammability hazard (i.e., for liquids with a flash point <100°F).

Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)

Normalized Breakthrough Times (in Minutes)

Chemical	CAS Number	State	QS	QC	SL	C3	TF	TP	RC	TK	RF
Methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate	80-62-6	Liquid			23		imm*/53	imm*/53	>480	>480	>480
Methyl methacrylate	80-62-6	Liquid			23		imm*/53	imm*/53	>480	>480	>480

Special Warning from DuPont: Tychem® and Tyvek® fabrics should not be used around heat, flames, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments. Only...

(DuPont, 2024)

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

SKIN: IMMEDIATELY flood affected skin with water while removing and isolating all contaminated clothing. Gently wash all affected skin areas thoroughly with soap and water. IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital for treatment after washing the affected areas.

INHALATION: IMMEDIATELY leave the contaminated area; take deep breaths of fresh air. If symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or burning in the mouth, throat, or chest) develop, call a physician and be prepared to transport the victim to a hospital. Provide proper respiratory protection to rescuers entering an unknown atmosphere. Whenever possible, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) should be used; if not available, use a level of protection greater than or equal to that advised under Protective Clothing.

INGESTION: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Corrosive chemicals will destroy the membranes of the mouth, throat, and esophagus and, in addition, have a high risk of being aspirated into the victim's lungs during vomiting which increases the medical problems. If the victim is conscious and not convulsing, give 1 or 2 glasses of water to dilute the chemical and IMMEDIATELY call a hospital or poison control center. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim to a hospital. If the victim is convulsing or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth, ensure that the victim's airway is open and lay the victim on his/her side with the head lower than the body. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Transport the victim IMMEDIATELY to a hospital. (NTP, 1992)

• ACRYESTER M
• ACRYLIC ACID, 2-METHYL-, METHYL ESTER
• DIAKON
• METHACRYLATE MONOMER
• METHACRYLIC ACID METHYL ESTER
• METHACRYLIC ACID, METHYL ESTER
• 2-(METHOXYCARBONYL)-1-PROPENE
• METHYL 2-METHYL-2-PROPENOATE
• METHYL 2-METHYLACRYLATE
• METHYL A-METHYLACRYLATE
• METHYL ALPHA-METHYLACRYLATE
• METHYL ESTER OF METHACRYLIC ACID
• METHYL METHACRYLATE
• METHYL METHACRYLATE MONOMER
• METHYL METHACRYLATE MONOMER, STABILIZED
• METHYL METHACRYLATE MONOMER, [STABILIZED]
• METHYL METHACRYLATE, MONOMER, STABILIZED
• METHYL METHYLACRYLATE
• METHYL-2-METHYL-2-PROPENOATE
• 2-METHYL-2-PROPENOIC ACID METHYL ESTER
• 2-METHYLACRYLIC ACID METHYL ESTER
• MMA
• MME
• "MONOCITE" METHACRYLATE MONOMER
• NCI-C50680
• PEGALAN
• 2-PROPENOIC ACID, 2-METHYL-, METHYL ESTER