“Having the best polypropylene can result in an increase of efficiency by 56%.”

Polypropylene is made from the polymerization of propylene gas in the presence of a catalyst system, usually Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalyst. They are taking place either in a gas phase (fluidized bed or stirred reactor) or a liquid-phase process (slurry or solution)

The properties of Polypropylene include:

• Semi-rigid.
• Translucent.
• Good chemical resistance.
• Tough.
• Good fatigue resistance.
• Integral hinge property.
• Good heat resistance.

Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic “addition polymer” made from a combination of propylene monomers. It is used in a variety of applications to include packaging for consumer products, plastic parts for various industries, including the automotive industry, special devices like living hinges and textiles.

Disadvantages of polypropylene: It has a high thermal expansion coefficient which limits its high-temperature applications. It is susceptible to UV degradation. It has poor resistance to chlorinated solvents and aromatics. It is known to be difficult to paint as it has poor bonding properties.

Polypropylene will resist many organic solvents, acids, and alkalines. However, the material is susceptible to attack from oxidizing acids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and aromatics.

About 20 to 30 years. This PP contained solid waste degrades very slowly in landfills, about 20 to 30 years to be fully decomposed.

One of the simplest ways is to conduct a flame test by cutting a sample from the plastic and igniting it in a fume cupboard. The color of flame, scent, and characteristics of burning can indicate the type of plastic:

Polyethylene (PE) – Drips, smells like candlewax.

Polypropylene (PP) – Drips smell mostly of dirty engine oil and undertones of candlewax.

Polypropylene plastics are collected. The polypropylene material must be separated from other types of plastic polymers. This is regularly achieved through a “sink float separation technique where polypropylene is separated based on its ability to float when other polymers sink.

Manufacturing PP fiber from polypropylene is a process with low impact on the environment—no toxic waste, no toxic emissions, no fluorocarbons, and halogens.

It doesn’t react with water, detergents, acids, or bases, so it won’t break down easily. It’s resistant to cracking and stress, even when flexed, so it’s used in lots of hinges; It’s quite durable, so it withstands daily wear and tear.