Lauryl Acrylate stands as a chemical compound often picked up for its distinct properties and versatile foundation in industrial chemistry. The material comes from combining acrylic acid with lauryl alcohol, locking in a formula of C15H28O2. This molecular structure weaves a twelve-carbon alkyl chain onto the acrylate group, giving a balance between flexibility, reactivity, and hydrophobicity. Its CAS Number lands at 2156-97-0, with the HS Code generally reported as 2916.12.00. These unique chemical characteristics have established Lauryl Acrylate’s spot in coatings, adhesives, and copolymer production, where durable, water-resistant, and malleable end-products are highly valued.
Digging into the physical characteristics, Lauryl Acrylate usually arrives as a clear to slightly yellow liquid, although temperature shifts can trigger transformation to more solid forms like flakes or pearls. As a liquid, it sits at a density near 0.88 to 0.90 g/cm3 at 20°C, floating just under water. Its solidification point hovers below room temperature, meaning it can switch into a waxy or crystalline form if cooled significantly. Lauryl Acrylate carries a molecular weight of about 240.38 g/mol. It is not as volatile as many shorter-chain acrylates, staying mostly in place without much evaporation, which often proves valuable during high-temperature reactions or storage. The compound is only sparingly soluble in water due to its lengthy hydrophobic tail, but solvents like ethyl acetate, toluene, and other organic compounds mix with it easily. Viscosity lands in the moderate range, making pumping and blending less of a hassle for operators, as it does not gum up standard equipment. Its mild ester odor stands out, but does not dominate workspaces compared to more pungent chemicals.
Peering into its structure, Lauryl Acrylate takes the typical carbon double bond of acrylates and bolts a long lauryl side chain onto it. This tail keeps the material less reactive toward water and certain nucleophiles, which gives its polymers extra weather tolerance when used in exterior coatings or floor sealants. The unsaturated acrylate group stays wide open for free radical polymerization, so chemists can link Lauryl Acrylate with other monomers such as methyl methacrylate or butyl acrylate to structure copolymers to a needed toughness, flexibility, or resistance to solvents. The lauryl chain also acts as a handy internal plasticizer, letting materials stay flexible without adding external softening agents. In a lab setting, this means fewer additives, simpler formulations, and less downstream leaching—points that matter to engineers who design for longevity and health safety.
In production facilities and supply chains, Lauryl Acrylate comes in drums or intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) as a liquid, but it can be cooled into flakes or solid pearls for special applications or easier dosing. Powdered or crystallized grades remain less common because the material needs significant cold or additives to keep from sticking together. Each form demands careful sealing against moisture and air, not only to fight hydrolysis of the ester bond but to avoid stray polymerization, as oxygen and heat can spark unwanted reactions. Keeping the storage area cool, dry, and shaded extends shelf life, and suppliers usually recommend inhibitors like MEHQ (monomethyl ether hydroquinone) to slow down accidental polymerization during transit or storage.
Anyone familiar with the coatings and adhesives sector would notice Lauryl Acrylate on safety data sheets for a broad mix of water-resistant, flexible, and UV-stable products. For instance, it strengthens paints and floor waxes thanks to its long chain, which forms films tough against scuffs and soft against impact. In adhesives, it raises tackiness and peel strength without resorting to solvent-heavy plasticizers. Personal care products, such as gels and creams, sometimes include polymers derived from Lauryl Acrylate, where the balance of water-insolubility and mildness hits sweet spots in cosmetics that need both performance and gentleness. Its use in copolymerization also allows for dialed-in combinations for specialty plastics, fibers, and sealants.
Lauryl Acrylate, like most acrylate esters, brings certain hazards worth paying attention to in a busy workplace. The raw monomer can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs, and inhaling vapors in poorly ventilated settings poses risks. Its GHS classification paints it as harmful with chronic exposure, but with gloves, goggles, and tight container lids, most risks can be managed during production or handling. Operators need to monitor polymerization temperature and introduce inhibitors as insurance against runaway reactions, since heat and light can trigger rapid, exothermic chain formation. Wastewater treatment requires special filtration and decomposition, because the acrylic component poses a mild aquatic hazard if flushed untreated. Environmental managers should focus on spill control, air monitoring, and periodic employee safety briefings, as small habits build up to real impact on environmental integrity and industrial health.
Working with Lauryl Acrylate successfully depends on a thoughtful mix of engineering controls and informed handling. Facilities should automate drum unloading and metering to keep operator contact to a minimum, as these steps cut down on both lost product and personal exposure. Adding clear signage and laminated safety guides near storage areas arms handlers with the information they need. Waste should be channeled to closed-loop solvent recovery where possible, recycling unreacted monomer or safely neutralizing residuals before disposal. Environmental monitoring—both leak detection and exhaust scrubbers—keeps air quality up for plant personnel and local neighborhoods. Training teams about the interplay of temperature, pressure, and inhibitor levels equips them to nip issues in the bud before they grow into full-blown safety threats. By keeping systems straightforward and feedback loops short, chemical manufacturers can balance productivity, safety, and compliance with ease, while keeping Lauryl Acrylate a reliable asset in their toolkit.
