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PMMA-GP HT

Heat-treated state

ASTM D788 · JIS K6717 · GB GB/T 8834 · ISO 8257-1 PMMA

HT = heat-resistant (high-Tg copolymer) PMMA

Choose for lamp lenses, automotive interiors and parts seeing 90–110 °C where standard GP would distort.

Standard cost $$

Values for the HT condition

Other PMMA-GP grades and fills

PMMA-GP is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at PMMA-GP.

Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
Grade · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %Hardness
Impact-modified (rubber-toughened) PMMA
Use when brittle fracture or snap-fit/assembly stress is the failure mode and 2–4× notched impact is worth some clarity and stiffness loss.—522570 HRM
Flame-retardant grade
Only where a flame rating is mandatory — expect reduced clarity, lower impact and higher cost versus HB base resin.6062388 Shore D
Light-diffusing grade
Pick for LED luminaire covers needing uniform luminance and LED hot-spot hiding rather than clarity.6466489 Shore D
High-flow / thin-wall optical molding grade
Pick for light guides, thin lenses and long flow paths where fill pressure and birefringence must stay low.66683.589 Shore D
HTThis page
Heat-resistant (high-Tg copolymer) PMMA
Choose for lamp lenses, automotive interiors and parts seeing 90–110 °C where standard GP would distort.73753.590 Shore D
Cell-cast sheet
Use cast sheet for machined/laser-engraved parts, aquaria and premium glazing where the highest MW, stiffness and solvent-crack resistance matter.7476592 Shore D

What is PMMA-GP HT?

PMMA-GP HT is PMMA-GP heat treated to HT — choose for lamp lenses, automotive interiors and parts seeing 90–110 °C where standard GP would distort. PMMA-GP HT has a yield strength of 73 MPa (10.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi). PMMA-GP HT has a density of 1.19 g/cm³ (0.043 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 98/100, better than 100% of polymer grades
  • Good UV / weathering resistance — 95/100, better than 95% of polymer grades
  • High strength — 73 MPa (10.6 ksi), better than 83% of polymer grades
  • Stiff — 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi), better than 80% of polymer grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 62/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
  • Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 79% of polymer grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 1.2 MPa·√m (1.09 ksi·√in), worse than 77% of polymer grades

PMMA-GP HT properties

Typical room-temperature values for PMMA-GP HT; 28 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PMMA-GP reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.

Physical6

PMMA-GP HT has a density of 1.19 g/cm³ (0.043 lb/in³), heavier than 53% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 120°C (248 °F).

Density1.19 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
Glass Transition (Tg)120°C248 °F
Water Absorption (24 h)0.3%
Water Absorption (Saturation)2%
Refractive Index1.491
Light Transmission92%

Mechanical17

PMMA-GP HT has a yield strength of 73 MPa (10.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 3.3 GPa (0.479 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus3.3 GPa0.48 Msi
Shear Modulus1.2 GPa0.17 Msi
Bulk Modulus5 GPa0.73 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.38
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)75 MPa10.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)73 MPa10.6 ksi
Elongation at Break3.5%
Compressive Strength115 MPa16.7 ksi
Compressive Modulus3.1 GPa0.45 Msi
Flexural Strength110 MPa16 ksi
Flexural Modulus3.3 GPa0.48 Msi
Shear Strength62 MPa9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in
Izod Impact, Notched16 J/m0.3 ft·lbf/in
Hardness, Shore D90 Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M100 HRM
Hardness, Rockwell R126 HRR

Thermal11

PMMA-GP HT is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 70 µm/m·K (38.9 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.19 W/m·K0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity1,470 J/kg·K0.35 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)70 µm/m·K38.9 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)90°C194 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa112°C234 °F
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa105°C221 °F
Vicat Softening Point (B50)120°C248 °F
Flammability (UL 94)HB (typ. 1.5–3 mm); burns readily, no halogen/FR additives
Limiting Oxygen Index18%
Max Service Temperature (short-term)90°C194 °F

Electrical7

PMMA-GP HT is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 25 kV/mm (635 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength25 kV/mm635 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)2.7
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)0.02
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
Surface Resistivity1×10¹⁶ Ω
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)600 V

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 87% of polymer grades. UV resistance is excellent.

Corrosion ResistanceGood62/100
UV / Weathering ResistanceExcellent95/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood against water, dilute acids/alkalis, aliphatic hydrocarbons, mineral oils and greases; attacked or stress-cracked by ketones (acetone/MEK), esters, chlorinated solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons, ethanol/IPA and concentrated acids.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of PMMA-GP HT takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 6 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water250 L/kg30 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability8

PMMA-GP HT's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityVery good70/100
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
PolishabilityExcellent98/100
Mold Shrinkage0.5%
Melt Flow Rate1.5 g/10 min
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)260°C500 °F
Mold Temperature (typ.)70°C158 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with PMMA-GP HT

Is PMMA-GP easy to machine?

Machines cleanly with sharp, polished, high-rake carbide tools at high speed and light feed; use coolant/air blast to avoid gumming, anneal (80 °C) before and after heavy cuts to prevent crazing and cracking at drilled holes.

Can PMMA-GP be welded?

Not hot-gas/ultrasonic-friendly for optics — join by solvent cementing (dichloromethane, MMA-based cements) or UV-cure acrylic adhesive; hot-plate and vibration welding are possible for opaque parts.

Can PMMA-GP be formed, bent or molded?

Dry 4–6 h at 80–90 °C to <0.05 % moisture; inject at 220–260 °C melt with 50–90 °C mold, slow fill and high hold pressure for low internal stress; sheet thermoforms at 150–180 °C.

What surface finishes work on PMMA-GP?

Excellent flame, diamond and buff polishing to optical clarity; accepts hard-coat, anti-reflective and metallizing (vacuum Al) — avoid alcohol/ammonia cleaners and ester-based paints that cause stress crazing.

PMMA-GP chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
methyl acrylate / ethyl acrylate comonomthermal-stability comonomer in most molding grades0 – 83
processing lubricant / mold releasestearate or fatty alcohol0 – 0.50.2
chain transfer agent residue / antioxida0 – 0.30.1
methyl methacrylate (MMA)polymer backbone≥ 90 (balance)—

PMMA-GP HT — frequently asked

What is PMMA-GP HT used for?

PMMA-GP HT is typically used for injection molded lenses, signage letters, consumer housings and automotive light covers. In short: baseline optical moulding grade; polishes to optical clarity; brittle versus polycarbonate.

What is the yield strength of PMMA-GP HT?

PMMA-GP HT has a typical yield strength of 73 MPa (10.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) — stronger than 83% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is PMMA-GP HT easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 74% of polymer grades). Machines cleanly with sharp, polished, high-rake carbide tools at high speed and light feed; use coolant/air blast to avoid gumming, anneal (80 °C) before and after heavy cuts to prevent crazing and cracking at drilled holes.

Can PMMA-GP HT be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Not hot-gas/ultrasonic-friendly for optics — join by solvent cementing (dichloromethane, MMA-based cements) or UV-cure acrylic adhesive; hot-plate and vibration welding are possible for opaque parts.

What surface finishes work on PMMA-GP HT?

Excellent flame, diamond and buff polishing to optical clarity; accepts hard-coat, anti-reflective and metallizing (vacuum Al) — avoid alcohol/ammonia cleaners and ester-based paints that cause stress crazing.

Can PMMA-GP HT be formed, bent or molded?

Dry 4–6 h at 80–90 °C to <0.05 % moisture; inject at 220–260 °C melt with 50–90 °C mold, slow fill and high hold pressure for low internal stress; sheet thermoforms at 150–180 °C.

What is the maximum service temperature of PMMA-GP HT?

PMMA-GP HT is rated for continuous use to about 90°C (194 °F), and briefly to 90°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ISO 8257-1/-2 Plastics — Poly(methyl methacrylate) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2021)
  2. ASTM D788 Standard Classification System for Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Molding and Extrusion Compounds — ASTM (2018)
  3. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
  4. PLEXIGLAS / ACRYLITE moulding compound data sheets — Röhm GmbH (2023)
  5. ACRYPET PMMA resin grade data — Mitsubishi Chemical (2023)
  6. CAMPUS plastics database — PMMA moulding grades (ISO 10350 datasets) — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2024)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.