Poly(methyl acrylate)

Poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) is a hydrophobic synthetic acrylate polymer. PMA, though softer than polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), is tough, leathery, and flexible.

It has a low glass-transition temperature about 10°C (12.5°C in case of PMA³⁸).

High-energy radiation leads to cross linking in PMA. However in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a compound similar to PMA, degradation occurs instead.

It is soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). PMA is water-sensitive and unlike PMMA, is not stable against alkalies.

It is used as macroinitiator to initiate the copolymerisation of HEMA and DMAEMA. Also used in leather finishing and textiles.