PP Resin Raffia Grade
Material Properties And Types Of Polypropylene
This versatile thermoplastic and polymer are popular due to its highly flexible properties, lighter density and ability to adapt to a range of fabrication techniques. The different variations in polypropylene have led the material to be known as the ‘steel’ of the plastic industry, as it can be used and manipulated a number of ways.
There Are Two Main Types Of Polypropylene Thermoplastics:
1. homopolymers
2. copolymers
Homopolymers contain only propylene monomers in semi-crystalline form Main uses include textiles, packaging, pipes, medical components and electrical applications.
Copolymers are divided into random copolymers and block copolymers, produced by polymerising propene and ethene together. Copolymers contain higher amounts of ethylene, which result in an increase in desirable properties within the polypropylene. They are softer than homopolymers but have better impact strength.
Polypropylene can function as both a plastic and fiber type of thermoplastic. This allows for a vastly increased range of uses. It can be used as a fiber, such as in the manufacture of promotional tote bags and ‘bag for life’ shopping carriers. It is soft, malleable and has a relatively low melting point, making it very easy to be used in the injection molding process, where it is supplied in pellets. It flows well too, due to its low melt viscosity.
ction materials (window frames, siding), industrial boards, impact resistant water pipes, rigid PVC packaging (blister packs, caps, casings), surface protecting films, or electrical parts (connectors).
Advantages To Polypropylene
Due to the fact that polypropylene adapts well to the injection molding process, it can be used to make incredibly thin layers of plastic. It is very suited to applications such as
• hinges on medication pots,
• lids on shampoo bottles
• and other containers that will be bent and manipulated a lot and mustn’t break.
Polypropylene can even withstand twisting motions of up to 360 degrees without snapping and is very hard to snap as a result. It is relatively low cost and straightforward to produce and readily available in multiple countries and communities.
High chemical and fatigue resistance add to its durability and versatility as a packaging material and option for hinges and bottle tops attached to the main bottle by a thin layer of plastic. It can offer great versatility in colour, as it can be produced as an opaque or transparent thermoplastic and used when some transfer of light is desired. Its lighter density allows it to be used in applications where weight saving has to be a key consideration.
Polypropylene is waterproof and extremely resistant to moisture absorption, which adds to its packaging benefits and flexibility as a packaging material. Its semi-crystalline nature offers high flexural strength too, making it resilient to general wear and tear and ideal for items that must undergo higher levels of physical stress. It is also resilient against mildew, mold, rot and bacteria.