Ethyl methacrylate

Ethyl methacrylate (CAS 97-63-2), commonly abbreviated as EMA, is a reactive methacrylate monomer used as a building block in polymer synthesis and as a flavoring agent in food applications.

Where is Ethyl methacrylate used?

• Polymer manufacturing: polymerizable unit in acrylic and methacrylic resin systems
• Coatings and sealants: incorporated into acrylic emulsions, copolymers and thermoplastic resins to modify flexibility, adhesion and film-forming characteristics
• Cross-linking and curing systems: reactivity profile suits controlled glass transition temperature
• Plastics compounding: comonomer improving impact resistance and processing behavior in specialty polymer blends
• Flavor houses use EMA at food-grade purity as a character-impact compound in artificial fruit and dairy flavor compositions.

Good to know: Stabilized liquid, typically inhibited with hydroquinone monomethyl ether to prevent premature polymerization during storage and transport.

Commercial specifications

• Purity typically 99% or higher