Properties of Polypropylene

Keeping information about the properties of a thermoplastic beforehand is always beneficial.

This helps in selecting the right thermoplastic for a particular application. It also assists in
evaluating if the end use requirement would be fulfilled or not. Here are some key properties
and benefits of polypropylene:

1. Melting Point of Polypropylene - The melting point of polypropylene occurs at a range.

o Homopolymer: 160 - 165°C
o Copolymer: 135 - 159°C

2. Density of Polypropylene - PP is one of the lightest polymer among all commodity plastics.
This feature which makes it suitable option for lightweight\weight saving applications.
o Homopolymer: : 0.904 – 0.908 g/cm3
o Random Copolymer: 0.904 – 0.908 g/cm3
o Impact Copolymer: 0.898 – 0.900 g/cm3

3. Polypropylene Chemical Resistance

o Excellent resistance to diluted and concentrated acids, alcohols and bases
o Good resistance to aldehydes, esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, ketones
o Limited resistance to aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons and oxidizing agents

4. Flammability: Polypropylene is a high flammable material

5. PP retains mechanical & electrical properties at elevated temperatures, in humid
conditions and when submersed in water. It is a water-repellent plastic
6. PP has good resistance to environmental stress cracking
7. It is sensitive to microbial attacks (bacteria, mold…)
8. It exhibits good resistance to steam sterilization

To learn more about all polypropylene properties and their values - ranging from mechanical
to electrical to chemical properties, to make right selection for your application.

Polymer additives like clarifiers, flame retardants, glass fibers, minerals, conductive fillers,
lubricants, pigments and many other additives can further improve PP physical and/or
mechanical properties. For example:

PP has poor resistance to UV, hence light stabilizationwith hindered amines enhances the
service life as compared to unmodified polypropylene.

Further, fillers (clays, talc, calcium carbonate…) and reinforcements (glass fiber, carbon
fiber…) are added to achieve significant properties related to processing and end use
application.
Thanks to a significant increase of its performances (new additives and fillers, but also new
polymerization processes, and blending solutions), PP is less seen as a low cost solution, but
much more as a high performance solution, competing with traditional engineering plastics,
and sometimes even metal (e.g: long glass fiber PP grades).