2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate, HEMA

Product Overview

2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA), also written as hydroxyethyl methacrylate, is a versatile functional monomer used to introduce hydroxyl groups into polymer chains. Its balance of reactivity, flexibility and water affinity makes it a key raw material for UV-curable coatings, waterborne resins, adhesives, dental formulations, ion-exchange materials and biomedical polymers.
Colorless, transparent and easy-flowing liquid. Soluble in common organic solvents. Miscible with water.

Key Specifications & Typical Properties

Melting Point	-12 °C
Boiling Point	67 °C3.5 mm Hg(lit.)
Density	1.073 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
Vapor Density	5 (vs air)
Vapor Pressure	0.01 mm Hg ( 25 °C)
Refractive Index	n20/D 1.453(lit.)
Fp	207 °F
Storage Temp.	2-8°C
Solubility	Chloroform, Methanol (Slightly)
PKA	13.83±0.10(Predicted)
Form	Liquid
Color	Clear
Odor	Ester like
Water Solubility	Soluble
Freezing Point	-20
Freezing Point	-96
Sensitive	Air Sensitive

Performance Advantages

HEMA provides excellent adhesion promotion, hydrophilicity, flexibility and compatibility in copolymer systems. It is frequently used to improve wettability, reduce brittleness and enhance performance in both solvent-based and waterborne formulations.

Typical Applications

Coatings and inks: improves adhesion, gloss and durability.
Adhesives and sealants: enhances bonding and flexibility.
Dental and medical materials: used in hydrophilic polymer systems.
Contact lens and biomedical polymers: supports water compatibility and comfort.
Resins and specialty polymers: acts as a reactive diluent and functional comonomer.

Hydroxyethyl methacrylate is mainly used for the modification of resins and coatings. Copolymerized with other acrylic monomers, an acrylic resin containing active hydroxyl groups in the side chain can be produced, which can perform esterification and cross-linking reactions, synthesize insoluble resin and improve adhesion, and can be used as a fiber treatment agent, etc. It reacts with melamine-formaldehyde (or urea-formaldehyde) resin, epoxy resin, etc. to make two-component coatings. Added to the paint of luxury cars, the mirror gloss can be maintained for a long time.

Used in the plastics industry to manufacture acrylic resins containing reactive hydroxyl groups. In the coating industry, it is used with epoxy resin, diisocyanate, melamine formaldehyde resin, etc. to prepare two-component coatings.

Used in the grease industry as an additive for lubricating oil washing. In the electronic industry, it is used as a dehydrator for electron microscopes.

Adhesives used in the textile industry to make fabrics.

Used as chemical reagents in analytical chemistry. In addition, it is also used as a water-miscible embedding agent for the synthesis of medical polymer materials, thermosetting coatings and adhesives, etc.

Packaging, Grades & Supply

We supply HEMA in industrial and high-purity grades with flexible packaging options for bulk buyers, trials and long-term contracts. COA and MSDS are available on request, and we support global shipping for formulators and manufacturers.

Why choose Greenchem International?

Stable supply and strict quality control.
Technical support for formulation and application selection.
Flexible MOQs and export-ready logistics.
Competitive commercial terms for bulk and long-term buyers.

Ordering & Inquiry

Looking to buy 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA, CAS 868-77-9) for coatings, adhesives or specialty polymers? Send us your required grade, quantity and destination, and we’ll provide a tailored quotation, lead time and documentation.