Polypropylene (also known as PP) is one of the most commonly produced and cost-effective plastics available on today’s market. This material’s versatility makes this material the most often used by Partwell Plastic Engineering. Here are some key facts about PP…
- PP is noted as displaying a strong resistance to chemical attack from acids, alkalines and organic solvents. As it does not readily react with diluted bases and acids, it is often used to manufacture containers for such substances
- Acting with elasticity but also experiencing plastic deformation at an early point in the deformation process, PP is considered to be a tough yet flexible material
- PP has a high tensile strength of around 4,800 psi. This enables it to withstand comparatively heavy loads and tolerate impacts well, despite its relatively light weight
- In 24-hour soak tests, PP has been shown to absorb less than 0.01% of its own weight in water, making the material suitable for total immersion applications
- PP can operate at temperatures up to 82.2°C (180°F) without its performance being compromised
- Retaining its shape even after extensive bending, flexing and torsion, PP is a fatigue-resistant material that is ideal for creating ‘living hinges’
- PP is non-conductive and this extremely high resistance to electricity makes it perfect for the manufacture of electronic components
- The low transmissivity of PP makes it valuable for use in applications where aesthetic value and/or transfer of light are required
- PP is readily recycled
