What is the Difference Between EMA and MMA Monomer

The key difference between EMA and MMA monomer is that the use of EMA monomer can cause the break down of acrylic, whereas the use of MMA monomer can keep acrylic shiny and a little slimy but will not cause it to break down.

EMA or Ethyl methacrylate monomer is an organic compound having the chemical formula C2H5O2CC(CH3)=CH2. EMA or Methyl methacrylate monomer is an organic compound having the chemical formula CH2=C(CH3)COOCH3. These two monomers are useful in the cosmetic industry. They are two types of monomer liquids used in acrylic nails application. However, MMA use was banned from use recently by the FDA, although it was significantly cheaper than EMA monomer liquid. However, MMA monomer liquid can be useful in dental and medical products: for teeth filling, bone reconstruction, etc.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is EMA Monomer
3. What is MMA Monomer
4. EMA vs MMA Monomer in Tabular Form
5. Summary – EMA vs MMA Monomer 

What is EMA Monomer?

EMA or Ethyl methacrylate monomer is an organic compound having the chemical formula C2H5O2CC(CH3)=CH2. It is a colorless liquid, and it is considered as a common monomer of preparing acrylate polymers. Typically, this monomer undergoes polymerization under free-radical conditions. It’s important to know that acrylate esters can irritate the eyes and can cause blindness.

EMA monomer is a type of acrylic monomer liquid that is very useful in most acrylic systems. This monomer is considered a methacrylic acid ethyl ester, and it is the major ingredient in most nail acrylic monomers. It occurs as a colorless, moderately toxic liquid with an acrid odor.

What is MMA Monomer?

Methyl methacrylate monomer is an organic compound having the chemical formula CH2=C(CH3)COOCH3. It occurs as a colorless liquid having the methyl ester of methacrylic acid, which is the monomer of producing large-scale poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA polymer.

There are different methods of producing MMA monomer, such as cyanohydrin route, methyl propionate route, production via propionaldehyde, from isobutyric acid, methyl acetylene process, isobutylene route, etc.

There are different uses of MMA monomers, such as use in the manufacture of PMMA polymer, production of copolymer methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene that is useful as a modifier for PVC, as a raw material for methacrylate, etc.

What is the Difference Between EMA and MMA Monomer?

EMS stands for ethyl methacrylate, while MMA stands for methyl methacrylate. These are important monomer liquids useful in the cosmetic industry. The key difference between EMA and MMA monomer is that the use of EMA monomer can cause the break down of acrylic, whereas the use of MMA monomer can keep acrylic shiny and a little slimy but will not cause it to break down.

The below infographic presents the differences between EMA and MMA monomer in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – EMA vs MMA Monomer

Ethyl methacrylate monomer is an organic compound having the chemical formula C2H5O2CC(CH3)=CH2, while Methyl methacrylate monomer is an organic compound having the chemical formula CH2=C(CH3)COOCH3. These are useful as monomer liquids in the cosmetic industry. The key difference between EMA and MMA monomer is that the use of EMA monomer can cause the break down of acrylic, whereas the use of MMA monomer can keep acrylic shiny and a little slimy but will not cause it to break down.

Reference:

1. “Methacrylate Monomer.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Use of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) in Nail Products.” WA Health, Government of Western Australia.
3. “The Dangers of Cheap MMA Acrylic Nails.” Triple N Mobile Salon.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Ethyl methacrylate 200” By Emeldir (talk) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Methyl-methacrylate-skeletal” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia