{"id":3526,"date":"2021-04-14T09:59:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T14:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sybridge.com\/3526-2\/"},"modified":"2024-06-26T11:48:19","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T16:48:19","slug":"know-your-materials-polypropylene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sybridge.com\/know-your-materials-polypropylene\/","title":{"rendered":"Know Your Materials: Polypropylene (PP)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Originally published on fastradius.com on April 14, 2021<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though polypropylene is only 70 years old \u2014 very young by manufacturing\u2019s standards \u2014 it\u2019s the second most popular and the most profitable material in the manufacturing industry. The global market for polypropylene was worth roughly $126.03 billion<\/a> in 2019, and the current demand for polypropylene material hovers around 62 million tons per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polypropylene\u2019s explosive growth shows no sign of slowing down, and engineers and product teams should familiarize themselves with this versatile material and explore how it can be used in their products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is polypropylene?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Polypropylene is a low-cost, easy-to-use crystalline thermoplastic<\/a> that can be found in many of the consumer goods we use today. The two main types of polypropylene are homopolymers and copolymers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homopolymer polypropylene is stronger and stiffer than copolymer polypropylene. It\u2019s commonly found in medical equipment<\/a> like upper and lower extremity orthoses or prosthetic sockets. Even though copolymer polypropylene is softer than homopolymer polypropylene, it\u2019s still tough and durable. In fact, copolymer polypropylene has better crack resistance and low-temperature toughness than homopolymer polypropylene, and it can be used for many of the same applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commonly referred to as an \u201caddition polymer,\u201d polypropylene takes to other composite plastics and polymers like polyethylene very easily. Copolymerization will change polypropylene\u2019s properties slightly, but this opens up more manufacturing opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"polypropylene
 Polypropylene is lightweight, highly chemical resistant in corrosive environments, and resistant to most organic solvents, degreasing agents, and electrolytes.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Polypropylene\u2019s properties and mechanical specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often called \u201cthe steel<\/a> of the plastics industry,\u201d polypropylene is an exceptionally tough plastic that holds up well against mold, rot, bacteria, oil, water, electricity, and high levels of physical stress. For all its strength and resistance, polypropylene is still lightweight, flexible, and elastic enough to bend without breaking. Polypropylene is also one of the few easily recyclable plastics<\/a> on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mechanical properties of polypropylene will differ based on the type of polypropylene. The mechanical specifications of a standard homopolymer polypropylene include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n