POLYPROPYLENE

OR
POLYPROPENE
Synthesis, properties and applications of Polypropylene
 PP
• It is a thermoplastic polymer
• Polypropylene is perhaps the lightest known industrial
polymer.
• It is produced via chain-growth polymerization from the
monomer propylene
• Polypropylene belongs to the group of polyolefins and is
partially crystalline and non-polar.
• Chemical formula: (C3H6)n
 Synthesis
• It is prepare by passing propylene through n-hexane
(inert solvent) containing triethyl aluminum
(Ziegler Natta catalyst) or traces of benzoyl
peroxide as radical initator at 373K under 10 atm
pressure.a
nCH 3  CH  CH 2    CH  CH 2 n 
Polymerization
373 K ,10 atm

CH 3
Polypropylene

Catalyst: Triethyl aluminum (Ziegler Natta catalyst) or

benzoyl peroxide
 Properties
• Harder and stronger than PE
• Being highly crystalline ,it exhibit high stiffness,hardness
and tensile strength.
• The stability towards heat and light is lesser than theat of
PE.
 Applications
• Polypropylene is widely used in various applications due
to its good chemical resistance and weldability. Some
common uses of polypropylene include:
 1.Automotive.
2.Medical
• Dashboard • Disposable syringes
• Wheel arches • Sterilizable medical wares
• Mud flaps
• Steering wheel
• Glove boxes
• Door pockets
 Applications
3.House hold 4.Appliances
• Coffee maker body • Washing machine parts like
• Hair dryer detergent dispenser units, tube
• Ceiling fans liners, valve etc
• AC parts
• Buckets
• Flask
5.Packaging Applications: Good barrier properties, high
strength, good surface finish and low cost make
Polypropylene ideal for several packaging applications.

• Flexible Packaging: PP films’ excellent optical clarity

and low moisture-vapor transmission make it suitable for
use in food packaging. Other disposable diaper tabs
• Rigid Packaging: PP is blow molded to produce bottles,
and pots. PP thin walled containers are commonly used
for food packaging.
 PP vs. PE

PP PE

• Monomer of polypropylene is • Monomer of polyethylene is

propylene ethylene
• PP is quit rigid • PE is less rigid and more
flexible
• PP is not translucent • PE is translucent
• PP has high melting point • PE has a lower melting point
compared to PE than PP