Laura has a Masters of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition and has taught college Science.
What Is Acrylic? - Definition & Chemical Composition
Acrylic: Definition
We have acrylic paint, acrylic nails, acrylic plastic, and many other acrylic products. So what exactly is acrylic? Acrylic is any compound that includes acrylic acid or related compounds called acrylates. Typically, the products that are called acrylic are a polymer of acrylic acids or acrylates. A polymer is a long strand of repeating sections, in this case the repeating sections are the acrylic acids or acrylates.

An error occurred trying to load this video.
Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.
You must cCreate an account to continue watching
Register to view this lesson
As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed.
Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons.
Try it nowAlready registered? Log in here for access
BackYou're on a roll. Keep up the good work!
Just checking in. Are you still watching?
Yes! Keep playing.Chemical Structure
In order to understand the structure of acrylic, we first need to examine the structures of acrylic acid and other acrylates. Acrylic acid has the chemical formula of CH2 CHCOOH. So, it is a 3-carbon compound starting with a carboxylic acid and between carbons 2 and 3 is a double bond:
![]() |
Acrylic acid is a clear liquid and has a tart scent when it isn't in a polymer form.
Methyl compounds don't like having a double bond, so that double bond will easily react with each other forming a polymer in order to get rid of the double bond on the terminal carbon.
Acrylates are acrylic acid compounds where the hydrogen has been removed on the COOH group and replaced with another group. Acrylates may also have additional substituents on carbons 2 and 3. These acrylates can include:
- Methyl Methacrylate
![]() |
- Butyl Acrylate
![]() |
- Ethyl Acrylate
![]() |
- Trimethylolpropane Triacrylate (TMPTA)
![]() |
Types of Polymers
The different compounds are made from the different types of acrylates. For example, we can see the acrylic acid polymer here:
![]() |
This chain can keep going on and on until it runs out of acrylic acid compounds to react with. Polymers made from acrylic acid, called polyacrylic acid (PAA), are a super absorbent material and are used in diapers.
Each of the other polymers appears very similar to PAA. For example, methyl methacrylate simply has a different tail, but the polymer still forms at the double bond:
![]() |
Poly methyl methacrylate (PMAA) is what makes acrylic glass, or Plexiglas. The other acrylates continue this same pattern in forming the polymers.
Poly butyl acrylate (PBA) has seen experiment use in stretchable electronics. Poly ethyl acrylate creates a rubber-like compound. It is also often used alternating with other acrylates to form adhesives. Poly trimethylolpropane triacrylate is used in concrete polymers and setting hardwood floors.
Lesson Summary
Acrylics are compounds with the general structure of acrylic acids or other acrylates. Acrylic products are polymers of these compounds, and a polymer is a long strand of repeating sections. The general structure of acrylic acid is CH2 CHCOOH. Acrylates have a similar structure, with additional groups attached to the carbon atoms and/or replacing the hydrogen on the COOH group.
The polymers form at the double bond, with the rest of the molecule acting as a tail on the polymer. The different types of compounds (such as diapers or Plexiglas) are formed by using the different acrylates in the polymer.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Register to view this lesson
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackWhat Is Acrylic? - Definition & Chemical Composition
Related Study Materials
- Middle School Life Science: Homeschool Curriculum
- Glencoe Chemistry - Matter And Change: Online Textbook Help
- High School Biology: Homeschool Curriculum
- High School Physics: Homework Help Resource
- High School Physics: Tutoring Solution
- Introduction to Nutrition: Certificate Program
- NY Regents Exam - Chemistry: Help and Review
- Prentice Hall Earth Science: Online Textbook Help
- AP Chemistry: Exam Prep
- Physical Science: Middle School
- Middle School Earth Science: Tutoring Solution
- High School Physics: Help and Review
- NY Regents Exam - Physics: Tutoring Solution
- NY Regents Exam - Physics: Help and Review
- College Chemistry: Help and Review
Browse by Courses
- Isometric Growth: Definition & Example
- The Ethics of Genetic Engineering
- What is Data Visualization? - Definition & Examples
- Influence of Laws & Policies on Health & Disease Prevention
- How Family Conflict Affects Health
- Strategies for Coping with Unhealthy Family Behavior
- Avoiding & Responding to Unsafe Situations & Behavior
- Managing Risk to Enhance & Maintain Your Health
- Consumer Health: Laws, Regulations & Agencies
- The Role of School Health Advisory Councils in Texas
- Preventing & Managing Chronic Diseases Through Nutrition
- Nutrition Research: Design Process & Types of Studies
- Nutrients of Concern: Definition & Dietary Guidelines
- Reading & Interpreting Ingredient Lists on Food Labels
- Phytosterols: Definition, Function & Impact on Health
Browse by Lessons
- General Science Lessons
- TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293): Practice & Study Guide
- Next Gen NCLEX-PN Study Guide & Practice
- Next Gen NCLEX-RN Study Guide & Practice
- TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391): Practice & Study Guide
- General Sea Creatures
- General Pre-Historic History
- General Sea Mammals
- About the Next Gen NCLEX
- Factors Affecting Reading Development
- How to Pick Your Homeschool Curriculum
- Role of Student Support in Open & Distance Learning
- TExES Principal Exam Redesign (068 vs. 268)
- Teacher Salary by State
- ESL Resource Guide for Teachers
- What is a Homeschool Co-op?
- How to Start Homeschooling Your Children
Latest Courses
- Victimization Consequences: Emotional, Psychological & Social
- Political Satire: Definition & Examples
- Niels Bohr: Biography, Atomic Theory & Discovery
- Aymara People: Language, Culture & Religion
- Next Gen NCLEX Question Type: Drag and Drop
- What is Passover? - Definition, Story, Traditions & Significance
- Red Fox Scientific Name & Habitat | Are Foxes Nocturnal?
- Quiz & Worksheet - Mestizaje Overview
- Quiz & Worksheet - Hittite Government, Laws & Economy
- Quiz & Worksheet - Paleo Indian Culture & Artifacts
- Quiz & Worksheet - Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic Among the Azande Synopsis
- Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics
- Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate
- Elementary Science Worksheets and Printables
- Informative Essay Topics for Teachers
Latest Lessons
- AP Physics 1: Exam Prep
- ACT Compass Writing Essay Test: Practice & Study Guide
- SAT Prep: Practice & Study Guide
- Physical Science: Help and Review
- World History: Middle School
- Praxis I Reading: Structure and Organization
- Glencoe Biology Chapter 31: Animal Behavior
- Quiz & Worksheet - Characteristics of Market Segmentation
- Quiz & Worksheet - Social Constructivism and the Mediated Learning Experience
- Quiz & Worksheet - How to Calculate the pH of a Buffered Solution
- Quiz & Worksheet - Using Reference Material in Your Writing
- Quiz & Worksheet - Phase Changes and Heating Curves
Popular Courses
- Mass-to-Mass Stoichiometric Calculations
- Modernism in Araby
- Free Praxis II Practice Tests - Praxis Test Prep 2021-2022
- NYSTCE Test Prep Tips
- RICA Test Pass Rates & Scoring Information
- Point of View Lesson Plan
- How To Pass the Language Arts GED Test
- Online English Lessons to Use for School Closures
- HSPT Test Score Information
- How to Pass the GED Math Test
- Can You Go to Community College With a GED?
- AP World History Exam Scores
Popular Lessons
Math
Social Sciences
Science
Business
Humanities
Education
History
Art and Design
Tech and Engineering
- Tech and Engineering - Videos
- Tech and Engineering - Quizzes
- Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers
Health and Medicine
- What is the difference between acrylic enamel and acrylic lacquer?
- How is PMMA material made into an acrylic heel? Describe the process from start to finish.
- Consider the structure of beta-carotene: It is a linear polyene in which 21 bonds, 10 single and 11 double, alternate along a chain of 22 carbon atoms. Assume that beta-carotene can be modeled as a one-dimensional box or pipe with each of the 21 bonds ha
- Does a fiber laser cut acrylic?
Explore our library of over 84,000 lessons
- Create a Goal
- Create custom courses
- Get your questions answered