Product
Polypropylene is a type of thermoplastic polymer resin with the chemical formula C3H6. It is useful in many packaging applications as a structural plastic or as a fiber-type plastic. It is easy to customize, lightweight and very flexible, and has high melting point and a low level of electrical conductivity.
Polypropylene has shown excellent resistance to organic solvents and degreasing agents as well as electrolytic attack. Polypropylene produces fewer solid wastes by weight than polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It also produces significantly less CO2 equivalents by weight than PET, PS or PVC.
Polypropylene is mostly unaffected by many inorganic acids, alkalis, and aqueous solutions at room temperature, but at elevated temperatures some concentrated acids and oxidizing agents can attack them.
How It Is Made:
Polypropylene is made by the polymerization of propylene (propene; CH3CH=CH2). Polymerization is the process by which a single monomer unit (propylene in this case) is added to a second monomer of the same kind. The procedure is then repeated over and over again. Each time another monomer is added to the growing chain, the molecule gets larger and larger. Normally, polymerization is initiated by any of a number of agents, including radiation, light, or heat.
Polymerization of propylene presents a somewhat different problem, however, because of the presence of methyl (-CH3) groups extending off the main chain of the molecule (-[-CH(CH3)CH2-]-n). If polymerization is allowed to proceed on its own, some methyl groups will extend in one direction from the main chain, and others in a different direction. The product of this reaction is an amorphous product, one without crystalline shape, that has only a few very limited uses. To produce crystalline polypropylene, with all the desirable properties noted above, polymerization must be controlled to make sure that all methyl groups are on the same side of the main chain. One of Natta and Ziegler’s great contributions was the discovery of catalysts capable of achieving the correct orientation of methyl groups. They found that metal halides, such as titanium chloride, could produce this effect. More recently, the German chemist Walter Kaminsky (1941–) and his colleagues found another group of catalysts that could polymerize crystalline polypropylene even more efficiently, a group of compounds called metallocenes. The manufacture of polypropylene today depends heavily on the use of such catalysts.
Common Uses:
About one-third of all the polypropylene consumed in the United States is used to make fibers, for the manufacture of products such as blankets, fabrics, carpets, yarns, fish nets, protective clothing, laundry bags, and ropes. The next largest uses are in the production of rigid packaging materials, such as crates, food containers, and bottles; in household products, such as dishes, bowls, outdoor carpeting, and outdoor furniture; and in packaging film. Hospitals use many surgical objects made out of polypropylene, taking advantage of its low cost and ability to be sterilized. Automobile manufacturers use the compound almost everywhere on the body of their cars. About 20 percent of all the polypropylene produced is used to make a large variety of products, including wire and cable insulation, medical tubing, pipe fittings, battery cases, drinking straws, and packaging foam.
How is polypropylene used?
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic “addition polymer” made from the combination of propylene monomers. It is used in a variety of applications to include packaging for consumer products, plastic parts for various industries including the automotive industry, special devices like living hinges, and textiles.
Is polypropylene plastic safe?
Type 5: Polypropylene – Safe. Polypropylene containers do not leach harmful chemicals into foods or liquids. They commonly contain yogurt, medicine, drinks, ketchup and medicines. Type 5 plastic is flexible, hard and semi-transparent and has high resistance to solvents.
Is polypropylene durable?
Breaking away from the plastics’ stereotype of being disposable polypropylene is an extremely durable material. Unlike concrete and steel, polypropylene will not wear away over time and does not rust or react in any way with water, acid, detergents or non oxidizing organic compounds.
What kind of fabric is polypropylene?
Everything from apparel to tote bags is made from this affordable, lightweightmaterial. Polyester is highly resistant to UV radiation and a very high melting point, which means it can stand more prolonged exposure to the sun than polypropyleneor nylon without the material breaking down.
What is a non woven polypropylene?
Both woven and non woven polypropylene bags are made from recycled plastic. … To make woven polypropylene plastic threads are woven together in a more traditional manufacturing process to create a durable material. To create non woven polypropylene plastic fibers are bonded together
