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PP homopolymer polypropylene became prominent extremely fast, as commercial production began barely three years after an Italian chemist, Professor Giulio Natta, first polymerized it. Originally a German creation by Karl Rehn, Natta perfected and synthesized the first polypropylene resin in Spain in 1954, and the ability of polypropylene to crystallize created a lot of excitement. By 1957, its popularity had exploded and widespread commercial production began across Europe.
PP homopolymer polypropylene’s unique ability to be manufactured through different methods and into different applications meant it soon started to challenge many of the old alternative materials, notably in the packaging, fiber, and injection molding industries. Its growth has been sustained over the years and it remains a major player in the plastic industry worldwide.
Find The Right Plastic For Your Prototype Part There are two main types of polypropylene available: homopolymers and copolymers. The copolymers are further divided into block copolymers and random copolymers. Each category fits certain applications better than the others but often it doesn’t matter which one is used.PP homopolymer polypropylene can be referred to as the default state of the polypropylene material and is a general-purpose grade. | |
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PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE Polypropylene has properties that make it a very useful material for all sorts of applications. It can be referred to as the steel of the plastic industry because of the various ways in which it can be modified or customized to best serve a particular purpose. This is usually achieved by introducing special additives to it or by manufacturing it in a very particular way. This adaptability is a vital property. | |
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Other properties can be incorporated into polypropylene or its innate properties can be enhanced by adding additives. Polypropylene properties vary between the two major forms, homopolymers and copolymers, and the table below shows a few of the actual values obtainable for some of the properties when they are tested and quantified.
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Block copolymer polypropylene has co-monomer units arranged in blocks (that is, in a regular pattern) and contains anywhere between 5% to 15% ethylene. Ethylene improves certain properties, like impact resistance; other additives enhance other properties.Random copolymer polypropylene – as opposed to blocking copolymer polypropylene – has the co-monomer units arranged in irregular or random patterns along the polypropylene molecule. They are usually incorporated with anywhere between 1% to 7% ethylene and are selected for applications where a more malleable, clearer product is desired.
Some of the most significant properties of polypropylene are High melting points: for similar plastics in the same weight category, polypropylene has a higher melting point. Translucent hue: polypropylene can be used for applications where some transfer of light is important or where it is of aesthetic value. Toughness: polypropylene is elastic without being too soft. Resistance to chemicals: diluted bases and acids don’t react readily with polypropylene, which makes it a good choice for containers of such liquids. Fatigue resistance: polypropylene retains its shape after a lot of torsions, bending, and/or flexing. This property is especially valuable for making living hinges. Insulation: polypropylene has a very high resistance to electricity and is very useful for electronic components.
