Polypropylene is a material used in both household and industrial goods due to its unique properties and adaptive nature. It is widely used for industrial purposes because of its distinctive ability to function as plastic and fiber. One of the most common examples of the use of Polypropylene as living hinges. Due to its versatile nature, it is often considered as the steel of plastic. It is widely used in the manufacturing sector for packaging purposes. Also, it is used for a variety of purposes, such as dishwasher-safe plates, trays, cups, etc. Here are the top five merits and shortcomings of Polypropylene everyone should know:
Top 5 need-to-know advantages of Polypropylene
Chemical Resistant
Polypropylene has chemical-resistant properties that mean it does not react with acids. This unique property makes it the perfect material for containers to store acidic products such as cleaning agents, first-aid products, etc.
High tensile strength
Another significant benefit of using Polypropylene for industrial purposes is its high tensile strength. Polypropylene has the capacity to bear 4800 pounds per square inch (PSI). This unique feature makes it useful for holding heavyweights.
Malleable
This malleable nature of Polypropylene makes it an ideal product for taking any form. That is why it is mostly used in making living hinges. It can be molded into any shape without breaking. Since Polypropylene can turn into liquid at its melting point, it can easily take any form without degradation.
Corrosion and freezing resistant
Polypropylene is resistant to corrosion, and that makes it an ultimate choice for piping systems. It is highly resistant to corrosion, making it the top choice for all different purposes. It is also freezing resistant, which makes it suitable for areas experiencing environmental changes.
Insulator
Polypropylene has insulator properties, which means it does not conduct electricity well. That is why it is an excellent material used in electrical components such as cables etc. It is a beneficial component used in the electronics and audio industry.
Top 5 need-to-know disadvantages of Polypropylene
Inflammable
Since Polypropylene can turn into liquid at the melting point, it is highly combustible. The products made with this material can melt when exposed to heat. That is why it is not recommended for products used for warm or extreme temperatures.
UV degradation
Polypropylene is often affected by UV degradation. This makes it suitable for places where UV penetration is high. That is why it is used mainly for areas that have high UV altitudes.
Poor bonding properties
The most significant disadvantage of Polypropylene is its poor bonding properties. Due to this, it becomes hard to paint the material. However, there is a solution available for removing this problem. You can use several methods available to enhance the adhesive strengths to make it easier to paint.
Oxidization
Another prominent issue the industry face while using Polypropylene is oxidization due to chain degradation due to limited use of high temperature. Due to this, cracks appear on the materials. However, these cracks can be fixed using polymer stabilizers that help you get smooth surfaces.
High thermal expansion coefficient
Polypropylene has a very high thermal expansion coefficient because of which cannot be used under high temperatures. Due to this, application at a high temperature is not possible with this material.
Final thoughts
Polypropylene is a valuable material preferred widely by households and industries. Due to its corrosion resistance and insulation properties, it is commonly used in a variety of products. Despite its shortcomings, Polypropylene is an excellent material for manufacturing industries. That is why it is extensively used in packaging stuff like living hinges.