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Chemical Name: Butyl Methacrylate
Synonyms: n-Butyl methacrylate, BMA
CAS Number: 97-88-1
Molecular Formula: C8H14O2
Physical Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic ester odor. BMA shows up in plastics, adhesives, coatings, and other industrial sectors. Most people meet it through manufacturing or lab work, rarely through day-to-day life.
Hazard Statements: Can catch fire easily. The vapors will irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. In higher concentrations, inhaling vapors may bring on headaches, dizziness, or drowsiness. Prolonged skin contact can cause dermatitis. The explosive potential with certain mixtures needs respect, not denial. BMA’s flammability is nothing to play with.
Main Component: n-Butyl methacrylate, over 99% purity in most industrial forms.
Impurities: Trace stabilizers like hydroquinone or phenothiazine, less than 100 ppm, slow down unwanted polymerization in storage and transport.
Eye Contact: Immediately flush with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, even minor splashes matter. Remove contact lenses if present, but don’t waste precious minutes trying to pry them out.
Skin Contact: Wash off with soap and water, and change out of contaminated clothing. The first few minutes matter most.
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. If breathing gets hard, seek medical attention swiftly.
Ingestion: Don’t try to induce vomiting. Rinse mouth, watch for symptoms, and get a doctor involved as soon as possible.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide. Spraying water will only spread the burning liquid.
Special Hazards: Burning BMA gives off toxic fumes — carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sometimes organic acids. Even small fires mean toxic smoke.
Firefighting Instructions: Wear full protective gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus. Cool containers with water spray, stay upwind, and keep runoff out of drains.
Personal Precautions: Make sure there is good ventilation and use proper protective gear: gloves, goggles, and a mask if the vapors get strong.
Environmental Precautions: Prevent spills from reaching water sources and drains. Small leaks can snowball into big environmental headaches.
Cleanup Methods: Absorb spills with non-combustible materials like sand or earth. Shovel into suitable containers for disposal. Never use sawdust or similar materials that catch fire easily.
Handling: Only handle with localized exhaust or adequate ventilation. Don’t eat, drink, or smoke while using BMA. Ground and bond containers — static sparks can trigger fires.
Storage: Store in tightly closed containers, away from ignition sources and strong oxidizers. Keep cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Use stabilizers in storage to prevent unwanted polymerization, and check storage areas for leaks and corrosion regularly.
Exposure Limits: The ACGIH Threshold Limit Value sits at 50 ppm as an 8-hour TWA.
Engineering Controls: Use mechanical exhaust or ventilation. Work inside chemical fume hoods when possible.
Personal Protection: Wear impervious gloves, splash goggles, lab coat, and use a respirator if air concentrations creep up. Simple gloves win out over bare hands every time.
Boiling Point: Around 163°C
Melting Point: -75°C
Flash Point: 45°C (closed cup)
Density: 0.89 g/cm³ at 20°C
Vapor Pressure: 3 mm Hg at 20°C
Solubility: Negligible in water, but mixes well with common organic solvents. Slightly sweet, sharp smell, unmistakable with repeated exposure.
Chemical Stability: Unstable when heated, exposed to light, or if insufficiently stabilized.
Reactivity: Reacts with strong acids, oxidizers, and undergoes rapid polymerization without stabilizers.
Hazardous Decomposition: Burns to give carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and smoke; may also form methyl esters.
Acute Effects: Eye, skin, and respiratory irritation are the biggest short-term risks. Breathing large amounts in a closed space can depress the central nervous system.
Chronic Effects: Repeated skin contact can cause allergic reactions and dermatitis. Prolonged inhalation may affect liver and kidney function. No evidence yet points to carcinogenicity in humans, but long-term animal studies haven’t closed the book.
LD50 (oral, rat): About 20 g/kg, making BMA moderately toxic by ingestion.
Aquatic Toxicity: BMA does not break down quickly in water. Harmful to fish and aquatic invertebrates at moderate concentrations. Long-term exposure in rivers or lakes would stress local ecosystems.
Bioaccumulation: Low potential, but even brief exposure in the wild can kill small aquatic creatures.
Degradation: Relatively slow in the environment, which leaves time for effects to build up downstream from manufacturing or accidental releases.
Disposal Methods: Treat as hazardous waste. Incinerate only in facilities designed for halogenated and combustible organics. Never pour down the drain or toss with household garbage.
Precautions: Use proper personal protective equipment when handling waste. Close containers tightly and label for hazardous contents so nobody down the line gets surprised.
UN Number: UN2227
Shipping Name: Butyl Methacrylate, Stabilized
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable liquids)
Packing Group: III
Transport Considerations: Store and transport upright, in ventilated areas away from open flames or corrosive goods. Clearly label containers so emergency responders won’t scramble for details in a spill or accident.
Global Regulations: Butyl methacrylate appears in national and international lists of hazardous chemicals. Some countries set occupational exposure limits, require reporting of large releases, and regulate disposal. Safety labeling in compliance with GHS and transport rules in line with international standards reduce risk but cannot replace vigilance on the shop floor.
Worker Protections: Obligations include providing workplace training, safety data access, and protective gear. Regular risk assessments and ongoing review of work practices should back up compliance with any rules on the books.
