Technical Information

What is Polypropylene ?

Polypropylene (PP) is a member of the polyolefin family of plastics. Polyolefins are one of the so-called commodity thermoplastics. The polyolefin family includes PP, polyethylene, polybutylene, and various other derivatives.
Polypropylene has turned out to be the most versatile of the polyolefin family, accounting for the continuing rapid increase in its use, approximately 8% in 2021. It is highly versatile due to a combination of factors. These factors include excellent chemical and heat resistance a good balance of physical and mechanical properties, a very favorable strength-to-weight ration and low taste and odor characteristics.

Characteristics of Polypropylene –

The main characteristics observed in Polypropylene family are –

• Polypropylenes have better resistance to heat (heat distortion temperature at 66 psi: 200 - 250°F.) and resist more chemicals than do other thermoplastic materials of the same cost.
• Polypropylene have negligible water absorption and excellent electrical properties, and they are easy to process.
• In much the same way that density is important in determining the mechanical properties of poly-ethylenes, the stereo-regularity (related to the repeated units in the stereo-regular molecular chain) of a polypropylene very often determines the characteristics of the material. An increase in the stereo-regularity of a polypropylene will sharply increase the yield strength of the material. The hardness, stiffness, and tensile strength also increase. On the other hand, as stereo-regularity decreases, elongation and impact strength increase.
• The ability to carry light loads for long periods over wide temperature ranges is one of the properties that make polypropylenes valuable in engineering applications. Polypropylenes do not have outstanding long-term creep resistance, but their fatigue endurance limit is excellent. In fact, polypropylene often is referred to as the "living hinge" thermoplastic.
• One of the limitations most often mentioned for polypropylenes is their low-temperature brittleness (-4°F). However, polypropylene copolymers have been developed with brittleness points of about -20°F.
• Like all other poly-olefins, polypropylenes have excellent resistance to water and to water solutions, such as salt and acid solutions that are destructive to metals. They also are resistant to organic solvents and alkalis. Above 175°F, polypropylene is soluble in aromatic substances such as toluene and xylene, and in chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloro-rethylene.
• Polypropylenes have excellent electrical resistivity (both volume and surface), and their dielectric strength is high.

What are the benefits of Polypropylene?

Polypropylene is increasingly displacing a number of other materials in a variety of applications. Typically, one or more of the following reasons is given for replacing another material with polypropylene:

• Superior functionality:Some feature of PP such as extended hinge life, long term storage capabilities, speed of process-ability, or heat resistance will often dictate a switch from another material to the use of PP in a specific application.
• Cost: Because PP has a bulk density of approximately 0.900 g/cm3 you may often use less material (by weight) to produce an article than would be required from some other material.
• Environmental profile: PP is an inert material that contains no dioxins and is not carcinogenic. It burns cleanly and does not release toxic fumes. It can also be recycled with relative ease. For these reasons, PP is often an ideal material when environmental issues are a concern.
• The greatest commercial uses for homo-polymer PP are in fibers and filaments. PP fibers are woven into fabrics and carpets, and they are also used to produce non-woven fabrics for disposables. Slit-tape filaments are used as jute replacements in carpet backings and sacks.
• Homo-polymer PP is injection molded into caps and closures, appliance components and auto parts.
• Random copolymer PP (with up to 7% ethylene) has higher impact strength and better clarity than the homo-polymer. Its heat distortion temperature is lower than that of homo-polymer 150 to 250°F under 66 psi load. These materials are used in blow-molded containers (including oriented and multi-layer bottles), injection-molded packaging, and flexible mono-layer and co-extruded films.
• PP has proven to be an excellent material for producing various types of sheet and film. Polypropylene resins may be specifically designed for applications ranging from blow molding to film sheet, and fiber extrusion.

TYPES OF POLY-PROPYLENE & THEIR BENEFITS

There are two major types of polypropylene available in the market –

Homopolymers

Copolymers

Polypropylene Homopolymer is the most widely utilized general-purpose grade. It contains only propylene monomer in a semi-crystalline solid form. Main applications include packaging, textiles, Construction, healthcare, pipes, automotive and electrical applications.

Polypropylene Copolymer family is further divided into random copolymers and block copolymers produced by polymerizing of propene and ethane:

• Polypropylene Random Copolymer is produced by polymerizing together ethene and propene. It features Ethene units, usually up to 6% by mass, incorporated randomly in the polypropylene chains. These polymers are flexible and optically clear making them suitable for applications requiring transparency and for products requiring an excellent appearance.
• Polypropylene Block Copolymer has larger ethene content (between 5 and 15%). It has co-monomer units arranged in regular pattern (or blocks). The regular pattern hence makes thermoplastic tougher and less brittle than the random co-polymer. These polymers are suitable for applications requiring high strength, such as industrial usages.
• Polypropylene, Impact Copolymer – Propylene Homopolymer containing a co-mixed Propylene Random Copolymer phase which has an ethylene content of 45-65% is referred to PP impact copolymer. It is useful in parts which require good impact resistance. Impact copolymers are mainly used in packaging, houseware, film, and pipe applications, as well as in the automotive and electrical segments.
• Expanded Polypropylene - It is a closed-cell bead foam with ultra-low density. EPP is used to produce three-dimensional polymer foam products. EPP bead foam has higher strength to weight ratio, excellent impact resistance, thermal insulation, and chemical and water resistance. EPP is used in various applications ranging from automobiles to packaging, from construction products to consumer goods and more.
• Polypropylene Terpolymer - It is composed by propylene segments joined by monomers ethylene and butane (co-monomer) which appear randomly throughout the polymer chain. PP terpolymer has better transparency than PP homo. Also, the incorporation of co-monomers reduces crystalline uniformity in the polymer making it suitable for sealing film applications.
• Polypropylene, High Melt Strength (HMS PP)– It is a long chain branched material, which combines both high melt strength and extensibility in the melt phase. PP HMS grades have a wide mechanical property range, high heat stability, good chemical resistance. HMS PP is widely used to produce soft, low density foams for food packaging applications as well as used in automotive and construction industries.

PRODUCT DATA SHEET FOR RIGID POLY-PROPYLENE (PP) EXTRUSIONS

Material Characteristics, Test Standards and Typical Results of PP Extrusion

SECTION I - COMPANY & PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

• Trade Name:
  Poly-Propylene Extrusions (Profiles/Tubes)
• Product Code:
  RSP-PP Series
• Company:
  R.K. PROFILES PVT. LTD.
  Plot No. 262-O, Sector 24,
  HARYANA. INDIA
  Tel - +91 129 2236643
  Emergency Phone : +91 129 2238230 or +91 9899119433

SECTION II - HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS & HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

• PolyPropylene Block Copolymer (PPMR103):
  >85%
• NON-REGULATED LUBRICANTS & STABLIZERS & COLOR:
  <15%

SECTION III - PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• Melting Point:
  1650 C
• Solubility in Water:
  Insoluble
• Odor:
  None
• Form:
  Solid Form
• Specific Gravity:
  Not Applicable

SECTION IV - Fire and Explosion Hazard Data

• Flash Point:
  N/A
• Lower Explosion Limit:
  N/A
• Upper Explosion Limit:
  N/A
• Fire Hazard:
  Stable under normal situation. Flammable / Combustible under high heat and flame. Hazardous gases/vapors produced in fire are Ammonia, Carbon Monoxide; small amounts of Hydrogen cyanide and Aldehydes.
• Fire Fighting Procedures:
  Use full protective equipment and SCBA, filter masks, etc.
• Extinguishing Media:
  High expansion Foam, Dry Chemical, CO2 and Spray.

SECTION V – REACTIVITY & STABILITY

• Chemical Stability :
  Stable at normal temperatures and storage conditions.
• Conditions to Avoid :
  temperatures above 1250 C.
• Incompatibility with Other Materials :
  Incompatible or can react with strong acids, oxidizing agents.
• Decomposition :
  Hazardous gases or vapors can be released, including cyclopentanone, carbon monoxide, aldehydes, ammonia.
• Polymerization :
  Polymerization will not occur.

SECTION VI – WASTE DISPOSAL

SECTION VII – HANDLING & STORAGE

SECTION VIII – TOXICOLOGICAL & ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

SECTION IX - INFORMATION