Acrylic nail powder is primarily manufactured from specific acrylic polymers processed into fine beads.
The Core Composition
At its heart, acrylic nail powder is composed of tiny plastic particles, known as polymer beads. These beads form the bulk of the powder and are designed to react with a liquid monomer to create the hard, durable substance used for nail enhancements.
Key Ingredients
Based on industry practices, including information provided by references, the polymer beads are based on specific methacrylate compounds.
Here are the main types of polymers typically found in acrylic nail powder:
- Poly(ethyl methacrylate) (PEMA): This is a very common base polymer used in many acrylic nail powders.
- Poly(ethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate): A copolymer blend of ethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate, often used to achieve desired properties like flexibility and strength.
- Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA): While PEMA or the copolymer are often the primary bases, PMMA may also be added in some formulations. PMMA is a hard, rigid acrylic polymer.
These polymers are synthesized through a polymerization process, where individual monomer molecules (like ethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate) link together to form long polymer chains. These chains are then processed into the fine, consistent beads that make up the powder.
From Polymers to Powder
The manufacturing process involves creating these specific acrylic polymers and then grinding or forming them into the ultra-fine powder consistency required for nail applications. This ensures the powder mixes smoothly and evenly with the liquid monomer.
How It Works
When acrylic powder (the polymer) is mixed with a liquid monomer (like ethyl methacrylate or butyl methacrylate), a chemical reaction called polymerization occurs. The liquid monomer molecules link together and also react with the polymer beads in the powder, creating a hard, acrylic resin that is shaped onto the nail and then cures (hardens) rapidly without the need for a UV lamp (unlike gel nails).
This intricate composition of specific polymer beads is fundamental to how acrylic nail systems function, providing the structure and strength characteristic of acrylic enhancements.