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Polypropylene and Its What is Polypropylene and What It's Used for?
Features
Polypropylene is a tough, rigid and crystalline thermoplas c produced from propene
(or propylene) monomer. It is a linear hydrocarbon resin. The chemical formula of
polypropylene is (C3H6)n. PP is among the cheapest plas cs available today.
PP belongs to polyolefin family of polymers and is one of the top three widely used
polymers today. Polypropylene has applica ons both as a plas c and a fiber in:
Automo ve Industry
Industrial Applica ons
Consumer Goods, and
Furniture Market
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
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» View >18000 commercially available PP grades and > 350 suppliers in Omnexus Plas cs Database Soft-touch
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applica ons, conversion mode and other dimensions for FREE! The Danish firm
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polypropylene
How to Produce Polypropylene? Industries avai
So ell to redes
These days, polypropylene is made from polymeriza on of propene monomer (an unsaturated organic
compound - chemical formula C3H6) by:
Ziegler-Na a polymeriza on or
Metallocene catalysis polymeriza on
Ziegler-Na a Polymeriza on
Or Metallocene Catalysis
Structure of PP Monomer Structure of Polypropylene
C3H6 (C3H6)n
Upon polymeriza on, PP can form three basic chain structures depending on the posi on of the methyl
groups:
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
Polypropylene Homopolymer is the most widely u lized general-purpose grade. It contains only
propylene monomer in a semi-crystalline solid form. Main applica ons include packaging, tex les,
healthcare, pipes, automo ve and electrical applica ons.
Polypropylene Copolymer family is further divided into random copolymers and block copolymers
produced by polymerizing of propene and ethane:
2. While in Polypropylene Block Copolymer, ethene content is larger (between 5 and 15%). It has
co-monomer units arranged in regular pa ern (or blocks). The regular pa ern hence makes
thermoplas c tougher and less bri le than the random co-polymer. These polymers are suitable
for applica ons requiring high strength, such as industrial usages.
Expanded Polypropylene - It is a closed-cell bead foam with ultra-low density. EPP is used to produce
three-dimensional polymer foam products. EPP bead foam has higher strength to weight ra o,
excellent impact resistance, thermal insula on, and chemical and water resistance. EPP is used in
various applica ons ranging from automobiles to packaging, from construc on products to consumer
goods and more.
Polypropylene, High Melt Strength (HMS PP)– It is a long chain branched material, which combines
both high melt strength and extensibility in the melt phase. PP HMS grades have a wide mechanical
property range, high heat stability, good chemical resistance. HMS PP is widely used to produce so ,
low density foams for food packaging applica ons as well as used in automo ve and construc on
industries.
PP Homopolymer PP Copolymer
The poten al applica ons for PP homopolymer and PP copolymer are nearly iden cal
This is because of their extensively shared proper es. As a result, the choice between these two
materials is o en made based on non-technical criteria.
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
1. Mel ng Point of Polypropylene - The mel ng point of polypropylene occurs at a range.
Homopolymer: 160 - 165°C
Copolymer: 135 - 159°C
2. Density of Polypropylene - PP is one of the lightest polymers among all commodity plas cs. This
feature makes it a suitable op on for lightweight\weight saving applica ons.
Homopolymer: 0.904 – 0.908 g/cm3
Random Copolymer: 0.904 – 0.908 g/cm3
Impact Copolymer: 0.898 – 0.900 g/cm3
5. PP retains mechanical & electrical proper es at elevated temperatures, in humid condi ons and
when submersed in water. It is a water-repellent plas c
Learn more about all polypropylene proper es and their values - ranging from mechanical and
electrical to chemical proper es; and make the right selec on for your applica on.
Polymer addi ves like clarifiers, flame retardants, glass fibers, minerals, conduc ve fillers, lubricants,
pigments and many other addi ves can further improve PP physical and/or mechanical proper es. For
example:
PP has poor resistance to UV, hence addi ves like hindered
amines provide light stabiliza on and enhances the service life as Search PP Grades Based on
compared to unmodified polypropylene. Their Reinforcement Method
Disadvantages of Polypropylene
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
1. Packaging Applica ons: Good barrier proper es, high strength, good surface finish and low cost
make Polypropylene ideal for several packaging applica ons.
a. Flexible Packaging: PP films’ excellent op cal clarity and low moisture-vapor transmission make
it suitable for use in food packaging. Other markets shrink-film overwrap, electronic industry
films, graphic arts applica ons, disposable diaper tabs and closures, etc. PP Film is available
either as Cast Film or bi-axially orientated PP (BOPP).
b. Rigid Packaging: PP is blow molded to produce crates, bo les, and pots. PP thin walled
containers are commonly used for food packaging.
2. Consumer Goods: Polypropylene is used in several household products and consumer goods
applica ons including translucent parts, housewares, furniture, appliances, luggage, toys etc.
3. Automo ve Applica ons: Due to its low cost, outstanding mechanical proper es and moldability,
polypropylene is widely used in automo ve parts. Main applica ons include ba ery cases and trays,
bumpers, fender liners, interior trim, instrumental panels and door trims. Other key features of
automo ve applica ons of PP include low coefficient of linear thermal expansion and specific
gravity, high chemical resistance and good weatherability, processability and impact/s ffness
balance.
4. Fibers and Fabrics: A large volume of PP u lized in the market segment known as fibers and fabrics.
PP fiber is u lized in a host of applica ons including raffia/slit-film, tape, strapping, bulk con nuous
filament, staple fibers, spun bond and con nuous filament. PP rope and twine are very strong and
moisture resistant very suitable for marine applica ons.
5. Medical Applica ons: Polypropylene is used in various medical applica ons due to high chemical
and bacterial resistance. Also, the medical grade PP exhibits good resistance to steam steriliza on.
Disposable syringes is the most common medical applica on of polypropylene. Other applica ons
include medical vials, diagnos c devices, petri dishes, intravenous bo les, specimen bo les, food
trays, pans, pill containers, etc.
6. Industrial Applica ons: Polypropylene sheets are widely used in industrial sector to produce acid
and chemical tanks, sheets, pipes, Returnable Transport Packaging (RTP), etc. because of its
proper es like high tensile strength, resistance to high temperatures and corrosion resistance.
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
Cast polypropylene commonly known as CPP and widely known for its versa lity.
Super resistance to tears & puncture
Greater transparency and be er heat resistance at high temperatures.
Excellent moisture and atmospheric barriers
High permeability to water vapor
Biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) is stretched in both transversal and longitudinal direc ons,
producing molecular chain orienta on in two direc ons.
Orienta on increases tensile strength and s ffness
Good puncture and flex crack resistance over wide range of temperatures
Have excellent gloss and high transparency can be glossy, clear, opaque, ma e or metalized
Efficient barrier against oxygen and moisture
Polypropylene Polyethylene
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
PP’s resin iden fica on code is 5.
PP is 100% recyclable. Automobile ba ery cases, signal lights, ba ery cables, brooms, brushes, ice
scrapers, etc., are few examples which can be made from recycled polypropylene (rPP).
The PP recycling process mainly includes mel ng of waste plas c to 250°C to get rid of contaminants
followed by removal of residual molecules under vacuum and solidifica on at nearly 140°C. This
recycled PP can be blended with virgin PP at a rate upto 50%. The main challenge in PP recycling is
related to its amount consumed – currently nearly 1% PP bo les are recycled as compared to 98%
recycling rate of PET & HDPE bo les together.
The use of PP is considered safe because it does not have any remarkable effect from an occupa onal
health and safety point of view, in terms of chemical toxicity.
TORAYCA® TLP8169 by Toray is polypropylene. It is reinforced with 30% long carbon fiber. It is light
weight grade and features excellent strength, s ffness, dimensional accuracy and sliding... view
more
TORAYCA® TLP8148 by Toray is polypropylene. It is reinforced with 20% long carbon fiber. It offers
excellent mechanical strength/rigidity, low specific gravity and high creep-, fa gue- & abrasion...
view more
Ultrasint® PP nat 01 by BASF is a translucent, polypropylene (PP) based powder for laser sintering
process as an alterna ve to polyamide. It offers an excellent plas city, high elonga on, low... view
more
RTP 100 ABR by RTP Company is an abrasion resistant polypropylene (PP) grade. Exhibits good wear
and fric on resistance, flame retardancy and conduc vity against third-party abraders. It replaces...
view more
RTP 105 CC TFE 15 by RTP Company is PTFE lubricated, glass fiber filled polypropylene grade. It
offers wear and fric on resistance, reduced s ck-slip phenomenon by selec ng materials based
on... view more
Property Value
Dimensional Stability
Shrinkage 1 - 3%
Electrical Performances
Watch free video tutorial to improve PP cycle me and limit part shrinkage
3. Blow molding
4. Compression molding
5. Rota onal molding
6. Injec on blow molding
7. Extrusion Blow Molding
8. Injec on stretch blow molding
9. General-Purpose Extrusion
Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) may be molded in a specialized process. Being an ideal material for
injec on molding process, it is majorly used for batch and con nuous produc on.
Today, several manufacturers have op mized PP proper es or even created blends with improved
toughness making it suitable for 3D Prin ng applica ons. Hence, it is recommended to thoroughly refer
to documenta on provided by supplier for prin ng temperature, prin ng bed, etc., while 3D Prin ng
with polypropylene...View all PP Grades Suitable for 3D Prin ng
(Credit: FormFutura)
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
Fire Performances
Flammability UL94 HB
Mechanical Proper es
Hardness Rockwell M 1 - 30
Hardness Shore D 70 - 83
Op cal Proper es
Gloss 75 - 90%
Haze 11%
Physical Proper es
Radia on Resistance
Service Temperature
Others
Chemical Resistance
Sa sfactory
Acetone @ 100%, 20°C
Ammonium hydroxide, 30% @ 20°C
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
Toluene @ 60°C
Non Sa sfactory
Xylene @ 20°C
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9/10/2020 Polypropylene (PP) Plastic: Types, Properties, Uses & Structure Info
looking for the so ening temperature of Polypropylene when used during manufacturing. I have an applica on in which the material is under a prepregnated carbo
would like to know at what temperature it begins to so en to allow the material enough me to sink into the female mold shape of the bond tool.
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Easy Recylability Spurs Interest in All-PP New antifogging agents for New masterbatch for
Composites polypropylene The Italian materials producer Vib
processing aid masterbatch speci
Because of their excellent price-performance ra o, On the occasion of the latest Addcon Conference in Cologne
(PP) films. This new masterbatch
polypropylene (PP) composites are growing rapidly in the (Germany), the Dannish firm Danisco Emulsifiers has introduced
name Vibatan...
automo ve industry and other high-volume outlets. But the new an fogging agents for polypropylene (PP) films. These new
glass fillers used to... products are...
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