Substance profile
Butyl Methacrylate
Butyl Methacrylate is a colorless liquid with faint characteristic odor of esters.
01 · Identification
What Butyl Methacrylate is
Butyl Methacrylate is a colorless liquid with faint characteristic odor of esters. Its molecular formula is C8H14O2 and its molecular weight is 142.2 g/mol. It boils at 160 °C, melts at -50 °C, is very soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning. It is classed as flammable agents - 2nd degree.
Other names for Butyl Methacrylate
- n-butyl methacrylate
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H226 | Flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H319 | Causes serious eye irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P261, P264, P272, P280, P302, P305, P313, P332, P333, P337, P338, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Butyl Methacrylate properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 160 °C (320 °F) | HSDB | |
| 163 °C (325.4 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 163 °C (325.4 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | -50 °C (-58 °F) | ICSC | |
| -75 °C (-103 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| -75 °C (-103 °F) | below this value | HSDB | |
| Density | 0.9 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.8936 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.8975 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Very soluble in ethyl ether, ethanol | HSDB | |
| Insoluble (NTP, 1992) | CAMEO | ||
| In water, 800 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 1.8 mmHg | at 20 °C | CAMEO |
| 2.2502 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| 2.12 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 52.22 °C (126 °F) | HSDB | |
| 50 °C (122 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 294.44 °C (562 °F) | HSDB | |
| 290 °C (554 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 8 % by volume | estimates | HSDB |
| 8 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Vapor density | 4.8 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 4.9 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Butyl Methacrylate
Storage conditions
Temp during storage must be kept low to minimize formation of peroxides and other oxidation products ... Storage temp below 30 °C are recommended for the polyfunctional methacrylates ... The methacrylate monomers should not be stored for longer than one year. Shorter storage times are recommended for the aminomethacrylates, ie, three months, and the polyfunctional methacrylates, ie, six months. Many of these cmpd are sensitive to UV light and should, therefore, be stored in the dark. The methacrylic esters may be stored in mild steel, stainless steel, or aluminum. /Methacrylic acid & derivatives/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
May accumulate static electrical charges and cause ignition of its vapors.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
BUTYL, DECYL, CETYL, EICOSYL METHACRYLATE is a mixture of four esters of methacrylic acid. Reacts with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Heat is also generated by the interaction with basic (caustic) solutions. Flammable hydrogen is generated by mixing esters with alkali metals and hydrides. Polymerization may occur when heated, exposed to light or mixed with peroxides. Polymerization can generate large quantities of heat. (USCG, 1999).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Butyl Methacrylate in the storage compatibility matrix →