The different processes that can be applied to polypropylene are basically injection, extrusion, blow molding and calendering. It is suitable for thermoforming and cold forming.
Physical properties:
- The density of polypropylene is between 0.90 and 0.93 g/cm3, which allows the manufacture of lightweight products.
- It is a stiffer material than most thermoplastics. A load of 25.5 kg/cm2, applied for 24 hours does not produce appreciable deformation at room temperature and resists up to 70 degrees C.
- It has a high elastic recovery capacity.
- It has excellent compatibility with the medium.
- It is an easy material to recycle
- It has high impact resistance.
Mechanical properties:
- It can be used as a material for non-lubricated sliding elements.
- It has good surface resistance.
- It has good chemical resistance to moisture and heat without deformation.
- It has good surface hardness and dimensional stability.
Electrical properties:
- The transverse strength is greater than 1016 O cm.
- Due to its good polarity, its loss factor is low.
- It has very good dielectric strength.
Chemical properties:
- It is apolar in nature, and therefore has a high resistance to chemical agents.
- It presents little water absorption, therefore it does not present much humidity.
- It is highly resistant to commercial detergent solutions.
- Polypropylene, like polyethylenes, has a good chemical resistance but a weak UV resistance (except for
- stabilization or prior protection).
- Boiling point of 320°F (160°C).
- Melting point (over 160°C).