A method of determining residual monomer in acrylic resin using methyl ethyl ketone

An improved method of extraction of residual monomer from acrylic resin has been described for determination of the concentration of residual monomer by gas chromatography. Four kinds of organic solvent selected according to their physicochemical properties (methanol, N,N-dimethylformamide, ethyl acetate and methyl ethyl ketone) were tested for their capacity to extract residual monomer at varying temperatures and time periods. Extraction with methyl ethyl ketone at 4 degrees C was found to be the most effective. The method is simpler and more effective than others reported so far, and therefore seems to be suitable for clinical laboratory use.