Polypropylene

Polypropylene

Polypropylene, one of the most common plastic materials, is a thermoplastic polymer of propylene. It is noted for its lightweight structure and its resistance to moisture and heat. Polypropylene (PP) is less dense than water and has a melting point of 320 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, propylene is often used to manufacture tools that need to be regularly sterilized. PP is similar to polyethylene in that it is very low-cost, but polypropylene is much stronger.

Polypropylene has been available in sheet form since the 1960s. It is available in an assortment of different colors and thicknesses and can be manufactured to meet the needs of a variety of industries. Polypropylene comes in many shapes, including rods, sheets, pipes, tubes, and many more.

Due to its many favorable attributes and low cost, polypropylene serves many purposes. Propylene is used to make various textiles, carpets, plastic furniture, food packaging, reusable containers, bottles, floating ropes, automotive components, military thermal clothing, and luggage. Because PP is dishwasher safe, it is also popular for manufacturing food storage containers.

For recycling purposes, the Society of Plastics Industry has given specific resin identification codes to plastics, according to their polymer structure. These numbers are specified on the bottom of recyclable objects; they are enclosed in a rounded triangle outlined in clockwise arrows. Polypropylene is recyclable and carries the number five under its PP symbol.