Maleic anhydride (MA) CAS 108-31-6
Maleic anhydride (MA) is an organic anhydride supplied as white crystalline flakes or granules. It is a key reactive intermediate used to manufacture unsaturated polyester resins, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, maleic esters, and a wide range of specialty chemicals and additives. MA undergoes ring-opening, esterification and copolymerization reactions and must be handled with standard corrosive/irritant precautions.
Applications
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Unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) — MA is a principal comonomer for UPR used in fiberglass-reinforced plastics, coatings and composite materials.
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Styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers (SMA) — MA copolymerizes with styrene to produce SMA used as dispersants, binders and engineering polymers.
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Maleate esters and plasticizers — MA is esterified to form maleate esters used as plasticizers, lubricity additives and intermediates.
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Agricultural & specialty intermediates — MA is a building block for agrochemical and fine-chemical syntheses.
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Grafting and coupling agent — Used to graft anhydride functionality onto polymers (e.g., polyolefins) to introduce polar sites for compatibilization.
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Crosslinker and curing agent — Employed in curing chemistries for coatings, adhesives and polymer networks.
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Additive & modifier production — Feedstock for flame retardants, dispersants and surfactant intermediates.
