n-Butyl Acrylate (BA) CAS 141-32-2

What Is n-Butyl Acrylate?

n-Butyl Acrylate, commonly abbreviated as BA or n-BA, is a clear, colorless acrylic ester monomer identified by CAS No. 141-32-2. It is primarily used to manufacture acrylic polymers and copolymers for paints, coatings, pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, textiles, paper treatments and other industrial materials.

The reactive carbon–carbon double bond allows n-butyl acrylate to participate in free-radical polymerization. Its n-butyl ester group helps produce polymers with flexibility, adhesion, weather resistance and good low-temperature performance.

“Buy Butyl Acrylate” inquiries should always specify CAS No. 141-32-2. Isobutyl acrylate and tert-butyl acrylate are different chemicals with different CAS numbers and performance profiles.

Is Butyl Acrylate Organic or Inorganic?

Butyl Acrylate is an organic chemical. It contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and belongs to the unsaturated acrylate ester family.

For website categorization, the recommended classification is:

Butyl Acrylate is generally not classified as a fine chemical because it is produced and consumed as a relatively high-volume industrial monomer. “Organic Chemicals,” “Chemical Intermediates” or “Acrylic Monomers” are more accurate website categories.

n-Butyl Acrylate at a Glance

Physical-property values are typical reference data rather than batch specifications. Use the current TDS, SDS and batch COA for purchasing, transportation and process decisions.

Typical Butyl Acrylate Specifications

The following table represents a commonly requested industrial monomer grade. The contractual specification and batch COA supplied with an order take precedence.

Why Do These Specifications Matter?

Purity: Higher monomer purity helps reduce unintended side reactions and improves batch-to-batch consistency.

Water: Water content can affect polymerization, emulsion balance, solids control and downstream formulation performance.

Acidity: Excess residual acrylic acid may affect pH, corrosion, emulsion stability and polymerization behavior.

Color: A low APHA value is important for clear coatings, light-colored adhesives and applications in which polymer color must be controlled.

MEHQ: The inhibitor level must be sufficient for transport and storage while remaining compatible with the customer’s polymerization process.

Buyers should compare the complete specification instead of selecting material solely by nominal purity.

How Does n-Butyl Acrylate Work in Polymerization?

The reactive double bond in n-butyl acrylate opens during free-radical polymerization, allowing the monomer to form long polymer chains or copolymerize with other acrylic, methacrylic, vinyl and styrenic monomers. The resulting copolymers can provide flexibility, adhesion, weather resistance and low-temperature performance in coatings, adhesives and sealants.

How Does the n-Butyl Group Affect Polymer Properties?

The relatively flexible n-butyl side group makes n-butyl acrylate a “soft monomer.” Poly(n-butyl acrylate) has a low glass-transition temperature, commonly reported at approximately −54°C.

When BA is combined with harder monomers such as methyl methacrylate or styrene, formulators can adjust:

• Glass-transition temperature

• Film hardness and flexibility

• Tack and peel strength

• Low-temperature performance

• Water and weather resistance

• Elongation and impact resistance

• Minimum film-forming temperature

The final performance depends on monomer ratio, molecular weight, crosslinking, surfactant system, initiator, temperature and polymerization process.

Main Applications of Butyl Acrylate

Paints and Coatings

Butyl Acrylate is used in all-acrylic, styrene-acrylic and vinyl-acrylic binders for architectural and industrial coatings. It helps improve flexibility, film formation, adhesion and outdoor durability.

Typical applications include:

• Interior and exterior emulsion paints

• Waterproof coatings

• Wood and metal coatings

• Industrial maintenance coatings

• Printing ink resins

• Construction coatings

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

BA is an important soft monomer for pressure-sensitive adhesive polymers. It can contribute to initial tack, peel adhesion, flexibility and performance at lower temperatures.

Common end uses include tapes, labels, protective films and selected medical or industrial adhesive constructions. Suitability for regulated applications must be established separately.

Sealants and Caulks

Acrylic sealant and caulk formulations use BA-containing polymers where flexibility, substrate adhesion and weather resistance are required.

Textile and Nonwoven Binders

Butyl Acrylate can be copolymerized into binders for textile finishing, pigment printing and nonwoven materials. The soft segment helps improve hand feel, flexibility and resistance to cracking.

Paper and Leather Finishing

BA-based copolymers may be used in paper coatings, surface treatments and leather finishes to adjust flexibility, adhesion and water resistance.

Plastics and Impact Modification

Selected BA-containing copolymers are used as impact modifiers or flexible polymer phases in plastics. The appropriate polymer architecture and monomer composition depend on the target resin and processing method.

Chemical Synthesis

Butyl Acrylate can also serve as a reactive feedstock in the manufacture of specialty copolymers and other acrylic intermediates.

Butyl Acrylate Compared with Other Acrylic Monomers

These monomers are not direct replacements on an equal-weight basis. Substitution can change polymerization rate, residual monomer, viscosity, film formation, hardness, adhesion and regulatory status.

Butyl Acrylate vs Butyl Methacrylate

Butyl Acrylate and Butyl Methacrylate are different monomers.

Butyl Acrylate usually contributes greater softness, flexibility and tack. Butyl Methacrylate contains an additional methyl group on the reactive double bond and generally produces harder polymers with a higher glass-transition temperature.

Buyers should verify the full product name and CAS number before issuing a purchase order:

• n-Butyl Acrylate: CAS 141-32-2

• n-Butyl Methacrylate: CAS 97-88-1

How Should Buyers Select a Butyl Acrylate Grade?

Confirm the Exact Chemical Identity

The purchase order should state “n-Butyl Acrylate, CAS 141-32-2.” The term “butyl acrylate” alone can create confusion with branched isomers.

Match the Complete Specification

Compare purity, water, acidity, color and MEHQ rather than evaluating purity alone. Request a recent sample COA when impurity limits are critical.

Confirm the Inhibitor System

Ask the supplier to state the inhibitor type, target range and test method. Never assume that inhibited monomer is permanently protected against polymerization.

Review Storage and Consumption Time

Discuss expected transit time, storage conditions and planned consumption date. Long transit or uncontrolled temperature exposure may require additional technical review.

Run Application Trials

A laboratory or pilot-scale trial should confirm polymerization behavior and finished-product performance before changing supplier, grade or inhibitor level.

Butyl Acrylate Storage and Polymerization Safety

Butyl Acrylate can polymerize rapidly and release substantial heat if it is overheated, contaminated or inadequately inhibited. Pressure may develop in a closed system.

Important controls include:

• Follow the current supplier SDS and safe-handling instructions.

• Store within the supplier’s specified temperature range and away from direct sunlight.

• Keep away from ignition sources, heat, incompatible initiators, peroxides and reactive contaminants.

• Prevent contamination from pumps, hoses, sampling tools and returned material.

• Use compatible, clean and correctly designed storage and transfer equipment.

• Monitor product temperature and investigate unexplained temperature increases.

• Maintain the specified inhibitor and oxygen conditions.

• Never return unused or contaminated monomer to the original container.

• Use appropriate emergency relief and process-safety controls for bulk systems.

MEHQ requires dissolved oxygen to function effectively. Completely replacing the container headspace with oxygen-free inert gas can reduce inhibitor effectiveness. Any inerting system must be designed by qualified process-safety personnel and approved against the supplier’s current handling guidance.

If a container shows an unexplained temperature rise, discoloration, pressure, haze or solid material, isolate it and activate the site emergency procedure. Do not heat, open or move a suspected polymerizing container without specialist direction.

Handling and Workplace Safety

Butyl Acrylate is a flammable industrial liquid. Vapors may form an ignitable mixture with air. Exposure may irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system, and repeated skin contact may cause sensitization.

Facilities handling BA should use:

• Closed transfer systems where practical

• Adequate local exhaust ventilation

• Grounded and bonded transfer equipment

• Explosion-protected electrical equipment

• Non-sparking tools where required

• Chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing

• Safety goggles or suitable face protection

• Respiratory protection selected through a workplace risk assessment

Do not use this webpage as a substitute for the current SDS, occupational exposure assessment or local legal requirements.

Packaging and Transportation

Packaging availability depends on order quantity, destination, route and applicable dangerous-goods regulations. Options may include approved drums, tank containers or bulk transportation.

Common transport identification for stabilized Butyl Acrylate is:

The current SDS and shipping documents must be checked for the destination country and transport mode before dispatch.

What Documents Should a Butyl Acrylate Supplier Provide?

Professional buyers should request:

• Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis

• Current Safety Data Sheet

• Technical Data Sheet

• Product specification

• Inhibitor type and test result

• Batch number and traceability information

• Country-of-origin documentation when required

• Packing list and commercial invoice

• Dangerous-goods transport documents

• Regulatory declarations required by the destination market

For sensitive polymerization processes, buyers should also communicate any tighter limits for water, acidity, color, inhibitor or trace impurities before order confirmation.

Why Source Butyl Acrylate from AOZUN?

AOZUN supplies n-Butyl Acrylate for industrial polymer and chemical-processing applications. We help buyers confirm product identity, specification, documentation, packaging and transportation requirements before shipment.

Our supply support includes:

• Industrial-grade n-Butyl Acrylate

• Batch COA and current SDS

• Specification confirmation before order placement

• Export and dangerous-goods documentation support

• Packaging options matched to order and destination

• Commercial support for samples and repeat orders

• Coordination of international chemical shipments

Product availability, packaging, minimum order quantity and lead time are confirmed in the formal quotation.

Information to Include in Your RFQ

For a faster and more accurate quotation, please provide:

1. Product name: n-Butyl Acrylate

2. CAS number: 141-32-2

3. Required quantity

4. Required specification or application

5. Preferred packaging

6. Destination port or delivery address

7. Required documents

8. Expected delivery date

If your process has a specific MEHQ range, water limit or acidity requirement, include it in the initial inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Butyl Acrylate used for?

It is mainly used as a monomer for acrylic polymers in paints, coatings, pressure-sensitive adhesives, sealants, textiles, nonwovens, paper treatments and selected plastic applications.

Is Butyl Acrylate an organic chemical?

Yes. It is an organic unsaturated ester derived from acrylic acid and n-butanol.

Is Butyl Acrylate a fine chemical or an intermediate?

It is best classified as an acrylic monomer and industrial organic chemical intermediate. It is normally not treated as a fine chemical.

Is Butyl Acrylate soluble in water?

It is only slightly soluble in water but is compatible with many organic solvents. It can nevertheless be used in waterborne polymer production through a properly designed emulsion-polymerization process.

Is Butyl Acrylate the same as Butyl Acetate?

No. Butyl Acrylate is a reactive acrylic monomer with CAS No. 141-32-2. Butyl Acetate is primarily a solvent with CAS No. 123-86-4. They are not interchangeable.

Why is MEHQ added to Butyl Acrylate?

MEHQ is added to reduce the risk of premature polymerization during storage and transportation. Its effectiveness depends on suitable temperature, oxygen and contamination control.

Can MEHQ be removed before polymerization?

In many industrial processes, the monomer is used with its normal inhibitor level and the polymerization recipe is adjusted accordingly. Removing or changing inhibitor without a validated procedure can create a serious polymerization hazard.

What is the shelf life of Butyl Acrylate?

Shelf life depends on the producer, inhibitor level, oxygen availability, storage temperature, container and transportation history. Use the shelf-life statement on the current supplier TDS or sales documentation instead of relying on a universal value.

What should be checked when receiving a shipment?

Verify the product name, CAS number, seal condition, batch number, COA, inhibitor result, transport documentation and any evidence of temperature excursion or contamination before unloading.

Request a Butyl Acrylate Quote

Looking for n-Butyl Acrylate, CAS 141-32-2, for coatings, adhesives, sealants or polymer production?

Contact AOZUN with your required quantity, specification, packaging and destination. Our team will confirm availability, documentation, lead time and commercial terms for your application.