What is the name for the entire family of chemicals used to create nail enhancements and adhesives?

The entire family of chemicals used to create nail enhancements and adhesives is correctly referred to as methacrylates. Methacrylates are a specific group of compounds that serve as the basis for many nail products, including acrylic nails and adhesives. They contain the methacrylate functional group, which is crucial for the polymerization process that allows these products to harden and adhere to the natural nail or to each other effectively.

Acrylic typically refers to a specific type of nail enhancement product made from a combination of a liquid monomer and a polymer powder. While this is a common method for creating nail enhancements, it does not encompass the entire family of chemicals involved in nail products.

Oligomers and polymers are terms that describe the chain length of the molecules formed during the curing process; however, they are not broad enough to represent the entire range of chemicals used in nail enhancements and adhesives. Oligomers hold intermediate chain lengths, while polymers are long chains that result from the polymerization of monomers like methacrylates. Thus, while they are related concepts, they do not encompass the entire family of chemicals as effectively as methacrylates do.