Polypropylene fibres

It is formed of 85% of monomer propylene.

The fibers of polypropylene were introduced to the textile market

in the 1970.

Now it has become fourth most important fiber classes after

polyester, nylon and acrylic. Its use as apparel has been limited but
it holds an important position in industrial applications.
 Raw material of Polypropylene fibres

Structurally, it's a vinyl polymer , and is similar to polyethylene , due to

the carbon atom in the backbone chain and a methyl group attached to it.
It can be made from the monomer propylene by polymerization .
 Polypropylene fibres

Tacticity of polypropylene
Propylene polymerises to give several different spatial arrangements. There are
three possible arrangements:

•Atactic polypropylene which is random, where methyl groups are randomly

distributed. This is non crystallisable and is of no importance as a textile product.

•Isotactic polypropylene in which the methyl group is found in the same relative
position in space. Commercially, this is the important configuration for textile fiber.
Isotactic polypropylene is formed by Ziegler-Nata catalysts.
 Polypropylene fibres

•Syndiotactic polypropylene, where methyl groups are arranged in

regular alternate fashion along the chain.
 Polypropylene fibres

An important concept in understanding the structure of polypropylene and its

properties is tacticity.

Tacticity has a strong effect on the polymer's ability to form crystals. Isotactic and
syndiotactic polymers give long-range order, which lead to higher crystallinity in the
polymer chain.

Atactic polypropylene is amorphous & called linear low-density polypropylene This

polymer is clear and used in soda bottles.

Isotactic polypropylene (HDPP) has long-range order, which results in high

mechanical strength and high crystallinity and hence not transparent.
Properties of Polypropylene
Paramteres Values
Tensile strength (g/den) 3.5 to 5.5
Elongation (%) 40 to 100
Abrasion resistance Good
Moisture absorption (%) 0 to 0.05
Softening point (ºC) 140
Melting point (ºC) 165
Chemical resistance Generally excellent
Relative density 0.91 g/cm
Thermal conductivity 6.0 (with air as 1.0)
Electric insulation Excellent
Resistance to mildew, moth Excellent
 Polypropylene properties

Mechanical properties

Medium tenacity of polypropylene fibre is suitable for application. Commercial

staple and continuous filament, the tenacity is in the range of 4.5 to 6 g/den.

For use in ropes, nets high tenacity yarn are produced with tenacities up to 9 g/den.

Special purpose yarn with tenacity up to 13g/den can be made.

 Polypropylene properties

Molecular weight

Crystalinity of PP provides tensile strength by prevalent slippage of linear molecule.

High molecular weight is necessary to obtain the good strength.

Monofilaments with tenacities greater than 10g/den require polymer of molecular

weight greater than 100000.

High density polypropylene fibres, by contrast have molecular weight in the region
50,000 to 150,000, and low density polypropylene have 20,000 to 25,000
 Polypropylene properties

Mechanical properties

Commercial used polypropylene fibers have an elongation at break in

the region of 15 to 25%. Multifilament yarns are in the range of 20 to
30% and staple fibre in 20 - 35%.

Abrasion resistance
The abrasion resistance of polypropylene approaches that of nylon and
is superior to that of other fibres, and is good even when wet.
Specific Gravity (0.90 – 0.91 gm/cm3)
• Because of its low specific gravity, polypropylene yields the greatest
volume of fibre for a given weight.
• Polypropylene is the lightest of all fibres and is lighter than water.
• It is 34% lighter than polyester and 20% lighter than nylon.
• It provides more bulk and warmth for less weight.
Thermal Conductivity
• Lowest thermal conductivity of any natural or synthetic fibre (6.0
compared to 7.3 for wool, 11.2 for viscose and 17.5 for cotton).
• Polypropylene fibres retain more heat for a longer period of time, have
excellent insulative properties in apparel, and combined with its
hydrophobic nature keeps wearer dry and warm.
• Warmer than wool.
Thermal property Of Polypropylene
The softening point of PP fibres is in the region of 1500C and the
fibres melt at 160-1700C. Polypropylene fibre retains its flexibility
to temperature of -700C or lower.

Polypropylene is thermoplastic hence can be heat set to desired

shape & also is moldable.

Depending upon the type of polypropylene fibre, it shrinks 5 to

12% at temperature above 1000C and softens at temperature
about 1400C, & melts at temperature above 1600C and
decomposes at temperature 2880C.
Thermal property Of Polypropylene
The mechanical properties of the fibres deteriorate with increasing
temperature below the softening point.

Resistance to Sunlight

•Polypropylene fibres that are not stabilized against UV light will lose
strength on exposure to sunlight
•Poor UV and thermal stability which requires addition of expensive UV
stabilizers and antioxidants to overcome this problem
Anti-Static Behaviour
• The generation of static electricity on textiles is a complex and, to
some extent, a subjective problem.
• Practical experience shows that polypropylene does not exhibit a static
behavior in most normal circumstance and if a problem does occur it
can easily be controlled by the use of normal textile anti-static
treatments during processing.
• Anti-static agents can also be incorporated in the polymer to reduce
static build up.
Resistant to Bacteria and Micro-organisms

• Like other synthetic fibres – nylon, acrylic and polyester,

polypropylene fibres are not attacked by bacteria or micro-organisms;
they are also moth-proof and rot-proof and are inherently resistant to
the growth of mildew and mold.
 Resistance to Water
Water Absorption
•The water absorption of polypropylene fibre is about 0.3% after 24 hours
immersion in water, and thus its regain – the amount of water absorbed in a
humid atmosphere – is virtually nil (0.05% at 65% RH, 21 °C.)
Effects on Strength
•Water has no effect on the strength of polypropylene fibres.
Quick Drying
•Polypropylene is hydrophobic and will not absorb water in the fibre. Water
“wicks” away from the skin and through the fabric to the face for quick
evaporation.
Effect of Water on Strength of Fibres
 Dyeability
Polypropylene fibre is undyeable due to two reasons.

•Firstly, the chemical structure of polypropylene is almost completely non polar; there
are no centre of chemical affinity by which dye stuff can hold in the fibre.
•Secondly, polypropylene fibres are almost resistant to water, and water born dyestuff
cannot go through readily in the fibre.

•However, polypropylene fibre is dope-dyed (spun-dyed) by the manufacturer in

virtually unlimited colour choices.
 Polypropylene properties
Dyeing

To overcome this some types are pigmented before

extrusion. But this method provides only limited color.
Some types of polypropylene are modified to take
specific dye.

Attempts, to vary conventional dyeing technique have

had some effect and some acid, azoic, disperse and
sulfur dyes can be used. They have poor colour
fastness of light and washing.
Dyeable PP
• CoolVisions® dyeable polypropylene
• FiberVisions, one of the world's largest producers of polyolefin staple
fibers, introduces a revolutionary new fiber into the apparel market -
CoolVisions® dyeable polypropylene - the industry's premier disperse
dyeable polypropylene fiber.
• Experience the vast advantages of CoolVisions® dyeable
polypropylene; cottony soft hand, low density, inherent and
permanent stain resistance, excellent insulation properties, superior
moisture transport, inherent and permanent chemical inertness and
it's easy care, easy wear.
 Chemical properties

• Polypropylene is inert to a wide range of chemicals.

• Its resistance and susceptibility are similar to those of polyethylene,
but its high crystallinity tends to make it more resistant than
polyethylene to those chemicals which degrade olefin fibre.
• It is attacked only by the most aggressive acids and oxidizing agents.
Effect of Acids
•Excellent resistance to most acids except chlorosulphonic and
concentrated sulfuric acid.
Effect of Alkalis
•Excellent resistance with the exception of some oxidizing agents.
Effect of Bleaches and Solvents
•Excellent resistance. However, chlorinated hydrocarbons cause
swelling at room temperature and dissolve polypropylene at 71 °C. and
higher.
 Polypropylene properties
Application of PP fibers

PP has very useful industrial and household applications. But it

has not made very significant impact in the apparel sector due
to its hydrophobicity, lack of dyeability and a slightly waxy
handle.

Carpets remain the major application area. Industrial

applications include ropes, woven sacks, geotextiles, polygrass,
medical and surgical disposable etc.
 Polypropylene properties
Application of PP fibers

PP non-wovens are increasingly being used as filter fabrics for wet

filteration in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Textured
PP is finding its way in hosiery industry, e.g. in swim suits, sports
wear, socks, etc.
Abrasion Loss of Pile Fibres