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Join Date: Jan 2015
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Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/06/2015 10:18 AM

Hello!

I am wondering if there is an additive I can use to maintain the Polymethyl Methacrylate either on liquid form or gel form between the range of temperatures -45 to 300 F.. I need this becayse reaserch chows that this compound on liquid form allows for high efficient light transfer (like a optical cable). but I ma trying to transfer about 100K lumens 25 ft.

Thank you very much.

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#1

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/06/2015 10:51 AM

There are other clear materials that could be used, such as clear silicone rubber, that will maintain flexibility over a much wider range than PMMA. The difference between them, for attentuation over a distance of only 25 feet, is pretty low.

Why not use a fiber optic cable? Or a bundle of them? If you are transferring this light over a larger area than the cross-section of a fiber optic cable, why not use a tube with a mirror-like finish on it's interior? Such as a SolaTube: http://www.solatube.com/

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/06/2015 11:21 AM

The solar tube was very interesting, but this application required a medium that is flexible. This is going on a light tower whose height will vary all the time.

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/06/2015 11:55 AM

Maybe you could use the Solatube to conduct the light part of the distance, including a section of telescoping tubing that can be lengthened/shortened as needed. Then use a flexible conduit for the remaining distance.

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#4

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/06/2015 6:43 PM

PMMA is a liquid monomer. Kept pure, it should not polymerize.

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#8
In reply to #4

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/07/2015 10:29 AM

At one point long ago when I worked with DuPont's nylon production facilities, my office mate worked on the PMMA facilities. I don't know what the additive was that was used in the intermediate for transportation to our facility (in rail-cars), but it had to be removed before polymerization.

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#9
In reply to #4

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/07/2015 1:16 PM

No dummy, that's MMA. Get your facts straight!

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#5

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/06/2015 11:56 PM

oh, the sun is even closer around here, more like a poppycock

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#6

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/07/2015 9:04 AM

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a transparent thermoplastic often used as a lightweight or shatter-resistant alternative to soda-lime glass.

Read more on Wikipedia

CR4 Admin - direct copy/paste of Wikipedia page removed

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Polymethyl Methacrylate

02/07/2015 10:00 AM

Oh boy, oh boy, this is cut and paste from the book.

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