Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer, made by the chemical industry and used in a wide variety of applications, including packaging, textiles (e.g., ropes, thermal underwear and carpets), stationary, plastic parts and reuseable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers, automotive components, and polymer banknotes. An addition polymer made from the monomer propylene, it is rugged and unusually resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids. Polypropylene is commonly recycled, and has the number"5" as its recycling symbol. Melt processing of polypropylene can be achieved via extrusion and molding. Common extrusion methods include production of melt blown and spun bond fibers to form long rolls for future conversion into a wide range of useful products such as face masks, filters, nappies and wipes. The most common shaping technique is injection molding, which is used for parts such as cups, cutlery, vials, caps, containers, housewares and automotive parts such as batteries. The related techniques of blow molding and injection strech blow molding are also used, which involve both extrusion and moulding. The large number of end use applications of polypropylene (PP) are often possible because of the ability to tailor grades with specific molecular properties and additives during its manufacture. For example, antistatic additives can added to help Polypropylene (PP) surface resist dust and dirt. Many physical finishing techniques can be applied to Polypropylene (PP) parts in order to promote adhesion of printing ink and paints.