Material Safety Data Sheet for Acrylic Resin

Identification

Product Name: Acrylic Resin
Chemical Family: Acrylic Polymers
Synonyms: Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA, Acrylate Copolymer
CAS Number: 9011-14-7 (typical for PMMA)
Manufacturer: Contact your local supplier for specific details
Intended Use: Used in paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives, and plastics manufacturing
Emergency Phone: Reach out to local poison control centers or chemical emergency response teams

Hazard Identification

GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous under GHS for solid form; dust or fumes may irritate
Physical State: Solid, pellets or powder
Hazard Statements: Dust may cause respiratory irritation, eye discomfort. Combustible as fine powder or dust.
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from open flames and hot surfaces. Use good ventilation to avoid dust buildup.
Signal Word: None required for solid resin, but "Warning" may apply for processing dust
Route of Exposure: Inhalation, eye contact, skin contact
Symptoms: Eye redness, coughing, throat irritation
Pictograms: No pictograms for non-hazardous solid resins, use respiratory warning if forming dust

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Chemical Name: Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), proprietary acrylic polymers
Concentration: 90%–100% PMMA or acrylate copolymer
Additives: May contain pigments, processing aids, residual monomer (<1%) such as methyl methacrylate (CAS 80-62-6)
Other Components: Fillers (calcium carbonate, barium sulfate), plasticizers, flow agents (as appropriate for grade)
Impurities: Trace solvents, stabilizers leftover from polymer synthesis
Hazardous Ingredients: Residual monomer may present, but levels are negligible in cured or industrial forms

First Aid Measures

Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If symptoms persist—coughing or shortness of breath—seek medical attention.
Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with running water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if present, continue rinsing. Medical review suggested for irritation.
Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. Seek care if irritation develops.
Ingestion: Rinse mouth, do not induce vomiting. Drink water to dilute. Consult healthcare provider if adverse symptoms occur.
Important Notes: Processing fumes at elevated temperatures can irritate eyes, skin, respiratory tract. Get fresh air, monitor for symptoms.

Fire-Fighting Measures

Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Media: Direct water stream can scatter burning material
Hazards from Combustion: Burning releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methyl methacrylate vapors, smoke, and potentially other toxic byproducts
Protective Equipment: Self-contained breathing apparatus, full protective gear for firefighters
Special Instructions: Cool exposed containers to reduce risk of reignition, avoid inhaling smoke or fumes from combustion

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Avoid breathing dust, ensure adequate ventilation, keep away ignition sources—static discharge, sparks, open flame
Protective Equipment: Safety goggles, dust mask (N95 or higher), gloves, coveralls when cleaning large spills of powder or pellets
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into waterways or drains, containment measures may involve sweeping up gently to minimize dust
Cleanup Methods: Collect material using approved tools for plastic dust, place in suitable containers for reuse or disposal. Vacuuming with HEPA filters recommended where possible.

Handling and Storage

Handling: Process material in areas with good local exhaust. Use non-sparking tools and ground equipment to avoid static discharge. Wash hands after handling.
Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, heat sources, strong acids, alkalis, oxidizers.
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents (e.g. peroxides), strong acids or bases, combustibles. Store away from food and drink.
Specific Recommendations: Keep containers tightly closed. Practice proper housekeeping to prevent accumulation of dust or spilled pellets.

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: No specific limits for PMMA, but ACGIH TLV for nuisance dust is 10 mg/m³ (total dust), 3 mg/m³ (respirable)
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust ventilation, dust control systems, process enclosures. Explosion-proof equipment recommended in high-dust environments.
Respiratory Protection: NIOSH-approved dust masks or respirators for dust or fume exposures.
Eye and Face Protection: Safety goggles, face shield where splashing or dust risk exists.
Skin Protection: Impermeable gloves to avoid direct contact in dusty or high-exposure settings.
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands and face after working with resins, remove contaminated clothing.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Form: Solid, typically as granules, pellets, powder, sheets
Color: Colorless or variously pigmented, depending on additives
Odor: Odorless or very faint acrylic odor; fumes from heating may be irritating
Melting Point: 150°C – 160°C (302°F – 320°F)
Boiling Point: Not applicable
Flash Point: 390°C (734°F), varies with formulation
Autoignition Temperature: Around 450°C (842°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Thermal decomposition releases toxic gases above 270°C (518°F)
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable for solid
Specific Gravity: 1.16 – 1.20
Solubility: Insoluble in water, soluble in some organic solvents (e.g. chlorinated solvents, acetone)
Explosion Properties: Combustible as dust at high concentrations—risk of dust explosions

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperature and pressure. Product does not polymerize further once cured.
Hazardous Reactions: Strong oxidizers, excessive heat can trigger decomposition, releasing hazardous fumes
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Fumes may include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methyl methacrylate vapor, and other acrid residues
Conditions to Avoid: Direct flame, sparks, high temperatures, prolonged sunlight exposure
Incompatible Materials: Strong acids, bases, oxidizing chemicals, alkali metals, burning materials

Toxicological Information

Acute Toxicity: Low toxicity by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact in cured form
Chronic Toxicity: No evidence of chronic health effects from typical workplace exposure to cured resin
Routes of Exposure: Eyes (irritation from dust or fumes), lungs (respiratory irritation), skin (redness, dryness from dust exposure)
Symptoms: Eye redness or watering, sore throat, coughing, sneezing with dust exposure
Carcinogenicity: Not listed by OSHA, IARC, or NTP as carcinogenic
Other Effects: Heating above melting point can produce vapors irritating to respiratory tract

Ecological Information

Aquatic Toxicity: Not expected to be acutely hazardous to aquatic life; resins are solid, not water soluble
Environmental Persistence: Not readily biodegradable; persists in soil and water, risk of microplastics formation in environment
Bioaccumulation: Not bioaccumulative based on chemical structure
Mobility: Solid particles can disperse in environment, especially through wind or water movement
Other Hazards: Ingestion by wildlife may cause blockages

Disposal Considerations

Disposal Methods: Dispose as non-hazardous solid waste. Comply with local, regional, national regulations.
Recycling: Scrap acrylic resin often recycled into new acrylic products. Consider mechanical recycling where facilities exist.
Incineration: Can be incinerated with energy recovery in approved facilities
Precautions: Do not release dust or pellets to drains, soils, natural bodies of water. Clean up spills thoroughly.

Transport Information

UN Number: Not regulated as dangerous goods for transport
Proper Shipping Name: Acrylic Plastics or Polymer N.O.S. (not otherwise specified)
Transport Hazard Class: Not classified
Packaging Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Protect from moisture, excessive heat, avoid rough handling
Environmental Hazards: None expected during normal transport, but avoid loss or spillage

Regulatory Information

TSCA Status: Listed
REACH Registration: Acrylic polymers covered under relevant exemptions
OSHA Status: Not regulated as hazardous chemical in solid form
Canadian WHMIS: Not controlled under WHMIS in solid state
Other Regional Regulations: Check surfaces for any special labeling or use restrictions, especially for products containing significant additives, pigments, or residual monomer
Labeling Requirements: None required for cured resin in bulk; labels may be present for handling precautions