Polypropylene
Polypropylene, abbreviated as PP, is a thermoplastic composite polymer made from a combination of propylene monomers.
This product has different types and depending on its application, it is produced in different grades such as raffia, medical, etc. In the following text, the necessary information for the preparation of the product, as well as additional information about the production method, types, different applications, etc., are mentioned.
What is polypropylene?
Polypropylene is the second most widely used thermoplastic from the polyolefin family. PP is a versatile material that integrates properties such as lightness, strength, high heat resistance, rigidity, and flexibility. Polypropylene is molecularly a linear hydrocarbon resin whose chemical formula is C3H6.
Production and polymerization methods
Polypropylene is generally produced from propylene using the Ziegler-Natta polymerization method or metallocene catalysis. Polypropylene production starts from crude oil, where the crude oil is distilled and the naphtha cut is separated from it. Then naphtha is subjected to a cracking process, this process happens when naphtha is used as feed in petrochemical steam crackers.
Advantages of polypropylene
- Low density (0.9 – 0.91 g/cm3)
- Destructive resistance to environmental stress
- High tensile strength
- High rigidity
- Polypropylene is easily available and relatively cheap.
- PP has high bending due to its semi-crystalline nature.
- PP has a relatively slippery surface.
- PP is very resistant to moisture absorption.
- PP has good chemical resistance in a wide range of acids and bases.
- PP has good fatigue resistance.
- PP has good impact strength.
- PP is a good electrical insulator.
- Good mechanical strength
- Good molding properties
- Odorless and non-toxic
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