Polypropylene
- Polypropylene is considered the steel of plastics due to its versatility; it can be modified in countless ways to suit multiple applications. It has become the second-most widely produced plastic in the world. When it was first made in 1951, its popularity soared within six years, and today is the material of choice for manufacturers in a variety of industries.
- Polypropylene is commonly used in the packaging industry, and in this article, we are looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the material.
- Polypropylene's chemical properties mean it does not react with acids which makes it the ideal material for containers made to hold acidic liquids such as cleaning agents.
- Polypropylene is also highly resistant to corrosion and chemical leaking, making it the choice material for piping systems. The plastic resists to freezing well too, so climate conditions are also not an issue for polypropylene pipes.
- Polypropylene will turn to liquid at its melting point, and in this form, it can be moulded into any desired shape, and this can be done several times without much degradation to the plastic. Polypropylene is used in injection moulding because of how it responds to heat.
- Polypropylene is highly impermeable, absorbing less than 0.01% of water when soaked it in. This makes it perfect for products which are submerged in liquids or items which need waterproofing.
- Polypropylene is malleable, which means it can be made into a living hinge; a piece of material which can bend without breaking even after repetitive bending.
- Polypropylene is also low density when compared to other plastics, so for manufacturers, they have the benefit of saving money from low weight.
Applications:
Material Handling
Polypropylene is often used to make plastic pallets and other material handling goods depending on their required applications.
Automobile Industry
Polypropylene is frequently used in manufacturing car batteries, bumpers, interior elements, and cladding.
Packaging Material
Due to its low cost and flexibility, PP is used in various packaging forms and has replaced traditional materials such as paper, cellophane, and paper.
Medical Applications
With its ability to handle stringent sterilization procedures, PP is commonly used in the medical industry.
Housewares
PP is also used in many household items such as rugs, mats, carpets, plates, etc.
Toys
Many toys are built-to-last because they're made using polypropylene plastic
Plastic furniture
low friction applications, such as gears in machinery and vehicles
