Polypropylene (PP)

The most widely used plastic in the industry

Polypropylene (PP)  is a material with high impact resistance and a high operating temperature range. In addition, the material is lightweight and has a high chemical resistance. Add to that the excellent mechanical properties and Polypropylene PP is one of the most versatile plastics around.

Polypropylene is not only extremely suitable for technical applications and construction, but also for advertising applications and packaging of different sizes. Polypropylene is also widely used in the chemical industry.

Polypropylene is widely abbreviated as just PP.                                                        

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Unique features

  • Excellent articulation
  • Light weight with no moisture absorption
  • High chemical resistance
  • Smell and taste free
  • Food-safe (on request)
  • Good printability
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Impact resistant, tough and strong

Applications

  • Ring binders
  • Promotional cases
  • Point of sale (POS)
  • Office stationery
  • Notebook covers
  • Print applications
  • Mop trays for free standing display units (FSDUs)

Machining options

  • Welding
  • Water jet cutting
  • Laser cutting
  • Warm bending
  • Yes
  • Not in all cases
  • No

Welding Polypropylene

Polypropylene can be easily welded including infrared welding. In addition, PP-H and PP-C are easy to wire weld. The air volume (L/min) is 45-55, the welding air Temp. 300-340ºC (measured approx. 5mm in the welding nozzle) the welding speed cm/min is 25-35. PP (PP-H, PP-C) is also good for extrusion welding. The welding parameters here are: air volume (L/min) 300, welding air Temp. 210-240ºC and the welding mass Temp. 250-300ºC. 

PP-R is easy to electroweld and PP-R, PP-H are also very suitable for socket welding/mirror welding. 

How to identify Polypropylene (PP)

Colour is not always an indicator, but PP can often be identified by the grey/beige colour, RAL7032. When you ignight PP, you can identify it by the blue flame, yellow top and light gray smoke.

The specific gravity is less than 1, which makes PP float.

The technical properties of Polypropylene (PP)

Polypropylene PP is very similar to PE, but has a higher temperature resistance (up to 100 degrees) and is also much tougher. For example, Polypropylene-PP sheet can hinge endlessly, without breaking. 

Polypropylene PP is easy to machine and weld and is suitable for galvanising baths, storage tanks and piping.

Foamlite® P
Lightweight closed-pore foamed material

Polystone® P Copolymer
High strength sheet with outstanding toughness at temperatures down to -30°C and high resistance to chemicals and corrosion.

Polystone® P Homopolymer
High-strength sheet with strong resistance to chemicals, corrosion and heat.

Technical information

  • General

     

    Definition Norm Unit Value
    Density ISO 1183 g/cm³ 0.91
    Moisture absorption in normal climate <0.2
    Fire rating DIN 4102 B2
    Specific heat capacity kj/Kg°C 2
  • Mechanical
    Definition Norm Unit Value
    Tensile strength DIN 53455 N/mm 30
    Elongation to break DIN 53455 >70
    E-Module DIN 53457 (23°C) N/mm²  1150
    Bending strength DIN 53452 N/mm²  28
    Impact strength DIN 53453 (23°C) Charpy 7
    Shore or ball pressure hardness Shore °D 70
    Coefficient of friction 0.3
  • Technical
    Definition Norm Unit Value
    Relative electrical constant DIN 53485 (100Hz) 100 Hz 2.1
    Dielectric loss factor DIN 53483 (100Hz) tan (..x10-³ 0.0003
    Specific resistance DIN 53482 16 cm >10
    Surface resistance DIN 53482 13 >10
    Creep current resistance DIN 53480 KC >600
    Breakdown voltage DIN 53481 kV/mm 58
  • Thermal
    Definition Norm Unit Value
    Crystalline melting point °C 160-165
    Heat conductivity DIN 52162 W/m°K 0.22
    Linear coefficient of expansion DIN 53762 mm/m°C 0.16
    Long-term no-load operating temperature °C -0/100
    Maximum short-term operating temperature °C 140
    Heat deformation DIN 53461 °C 65
  • Temperature range
    Minimum temperature Maximum temperature
     0°C  +100°C

Machining data

  • Circular sawing
    Clearance angle (α) 10 - 15 [o]
    Rake angle (λ) 5 - 15 [o]
    Cutting speed 2000 - 4000 [m/min]
    Tooth pitch 2 - 8 [mm]
  • Band sawing
    Clearance angle (α) 30 - 40 [o]
    Rake angle (λ) 5 - 10 [o]
    Cutting speed 500 - 1500 [m/min]
    Tooth pitch 2 - 8 [mm]
  • Drilling
    Clearance angle (α) 10 - 15 [o]
    Rake angle (λ) 0 [o]
    Top angle (φ) 80 - 110 [o]
    Cutting speed 50 - 100 [m/min]
    Start 0.2 - 0.7 [mm/rev]
  • Turning
    Clearance angle (α) 5 - 15 [o]
    Rake angle (λ) 5 - 15 [o]
    Setting angle (χ) 45 - 60 [o]
    Cutting speed 200 - 500 [m/min]
    Start 0.1 - 0.5 [mm]
  • Milling
    Clearance angle (α) 5 - 15 [o]
    Rake angle (λ) <15 [o]
    Cutting speed <1000 [m/min]
    Start 0.1 - 0.5 [mm/rev]

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