What Is HEMA Monomer? 

Ekansh Agarwal

Updated on:

Before knowing the HEMA monomer, let’s have a look at HEMA itself. Well, the full form of HEAM is Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate, which is a reactive ingredient that is most commonly used to adhere the gel to the nail, in short, nail polish. This gives the gel polish a nice hard, shiny finish. You’ll find it in many types of nail products, such as glues, gel polishes, acrylics, and gels. Is HEMA safe as nail polish? Well, HEMA is safe but in low concentration levels which is up to 30%, and this limit was set to separate professional products from those anyone can buy in any store. Regulators believe it will lower the number of allergies among those who do their own nails at home. Well, without stopping let’s proceed and learn a HEMA monomer.       

What Is HEMA Monomer? 

HEMA monomer is the monomer of various polymers, and it is the most widely studied and used neutral hydrophilic monomer. 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate products include acrylic paint, adhesive, anaerobic metal sealant, artificial nails, binders for textiles and paper, contact lenses, dental materials, hydropads or TENS units, and many more. HEMA is a bifunctional monomer that contains both acrylate and hydroxyl functionality and is produced from the esterification of methacrylic acid by ethylene glycol or from ethylene oxide via a ring-opening price. 

What is HEMA free nail monomer or what is HEMA free monomer? Well, it is a low-odor liquid made with organic and ethically sourced ingredients. Now, you know what is HEMA in monomer and also about surface active monomer HEMA. Let’s know its properties.    

Also Read : What Is Cholesterol Monomer? 

Properties Of HEMA Monomer 

Here are some properties of the HEMA-la monomer 

  • The HEMA monomer is water soluble but the polymer made from HEMA is not water-soluble.
  • HEMA is commonly used to increase the hydrophobicity or surface adhesion of polymers and polymer-based materials such as specialty coatings, resins, and printing inks.
  • HEMA is an enote easter that is the monomethacryloly derivative of ethylene glycol.
  • Hydraulic resistance and flexibility
  • Adhesion and weatherability
  • Chemical resistance

Let’s know the structure and function of HEMA. Also, have some hydroxyethyl methacrylate uses in detail.  

Also Read : What Is VDC Voltage?

HEMA Structure And Function 

Here are the structure and function of HEMA given,  

HEMA Structure 

HEMA is an organic compound and its chemical formula is H2C\dC(CH3)CO2CH2CH2OH. It is also known as glycol methacrylate. Colourless, easily polymerizable viscous liquid. HEMA is completely miscible in water and ethanol, but its polymers are virtually insoluble in common solvents.

The viscosity of HEMA is 0.0701 pa.s at 20 degrees C temperature and 0.05 Pa.s at 30 deg C. 

HEMA Function 

There are lots of functions of the HEMA monomer. It is often used to increase the hydrophobicity or surface adhesion of polymers and polymer-based materials, such as specialty coatings, resins, adhesives, printing inks, and acrylic plastics. HEMA, as a co-monomer with another acrylic ester, can be used to control hydrophobicity or introduce reactive sites. In biomedical applications, this monomer is the basis of many hydrogel products such as soft contact lenses, polymer binders for controlled drug release, body fluid absorbers, and lubricious coatings. It is also used in certain contact lenses where it has the additional advantage of being rigid and easy to shape with grinding tools when it is dry and then becomes flexible when HEMA absorbs water. HEMA free monomer USA is a low-odor liquid made with organic and ethically sourced ingredients designed to work with all Gliterbels products. Is HEMA free monomer good? Yes, they are good and strong and smelly. 

Facts About HEMA 

Here are some facts about HEMA, 

  • HEMA is an ester of methacrylic acid and is used as a raw material component for synthetic polymers.
  • Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) forms a homopolymer and copolymer and it can be prepared with acrylic acid and its salts, amides, and esters, as well as acrylates, acrylonitrile, maleic acid esters, and vinyl acetate.
  • HEMA monomer is hydrophobic because when the polymer is subjected to water it will swell due to the molecule’s hydrophilic pendant group.
  • Depending on the chemical and physical structure of the polymer, it is capable of absorbing water from 10% to 600% based on the dry weight.
  • HEMA was one of the first materials successfully used to make flexible contact lenses.
  • HEMA found that the proportion of comonomer used in the formulation was comparable to the actual copolymer.

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FAQ

What Is HEMA Monomer?

HEMA, CAS# 868-77-9) is perhaps the most widely studied and used neutral hydrophilic monomer. This bifunctional monomer, which contains both acrylate and hydroxyl functionality, is produced from the esterification of methacrylic acid by ethylene glycol or from ethylene oxide via a ring-opening process.

What Is HEMA Monomer?

HEMA, CAS# 868-77-9) is perhaps the most widely studied and used neutral hydrophilic monomer. This bifunctional monomer, which contains both acrylate and hydroxyl functionality, is produced from the esterification of methacrylic acid by ethylene glycol or from ethylene oxide via a ring-opening process.

What Is HEMA In Chemistry?

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). It is a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic odour. It is an ester of methacrylic acid. It easily dissolves in water, relatively low volatility, non-toxic and non-yellowing.

Is HEMA Monomer Safe?

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) – this is a commonly used monomer in many nail products (and many others). It is a known allergen but relatively safe at or below the recommended percentage (35%).

Is Methacrylate And HEMA The Same Thing?

2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) is a monomer based on methacrylic acid (MAA) used to produce biomaterials such as dental adhesive and composite resins.

Conclusion 

HEMA was first synthesized in 1925 and the common methods of synthesis were the reaction of methacrylic acid with ethylene oxide and the esterification of methacrylic acid with a large excess of ethylene glycol. HEMA is popularly prepared in a one-step action from methyl methacrylate or methacrylic acid. Specifically, HEME can be synthesized by two methods which are the transesterification of ethylene glycol1 and the reaction between ethylene oxide and methacrylic acid. This was all about the HEMA monomer.  

What is the chemical name for HEMA

What is Hema made of?