Determination of system parameters for polymethyl methacrylate pipe production

Polymers are widely used in industries such as packaging, automotive, furniture, and advertising due to their desired characteristics such as lightweight, transparency, strength-to-weight ratio, hardness, low water absorption, and protection against ultraviolet rays. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a linear thermoplastic polymer also known as acrylic or acrylic glass, holds a significant place among polymers due to its optical excellence, transparency, clarity, high impact resistance, and resistance to outdoor environments, making it an important material with increasing applications. PMMA, often used as a product in the form of an alternative to glass for its lightweight and resistance to breakage, is experiencing rapidly growing demand worldwide. This study aims to determine the properties of PMMA and the production processes' long-term behavior, as well as investigate the necessary process parameters for acrylic pipe production using the same established processes. Parameters such as polymerization time, temperature, catalyst/MMA ratio, and MMA/PMMA ratio were examined in the experimental setup. Initially, initiator ratios were altered, and suitable temperatures were found depending on different quantities. PMMA subjected to the pre-polymerization process and MMA were used to prepare test samples with different initiator ratios and suitable temperatures. As a result of experiments conducted under different conditions, seven different product recipes with quality and usability were obtained. Optimal process parameters were determined for the casting of PMMA pipes based on the experiments. Hardness analysis, tensile testing, DSC, FTIR, TGA, and MTT analyses were performed on the produced prototypes, and a detailed comparison with commercial products was carried out. Within the scope of this study, PMMA production was investigated, and a pilot plant was established to successfully produce prototypes. Thanks to the accumulated knowledge, a domestic plant was established, and the first industrial-level productions were realized.