Polypropylene (PP) - Material profile & properties

PP is resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids as well as fats. The density of PP is between 0.895 and 0.92 g/cm³, which makes it one of the lightest standard plastics. It is harder and more heat-resistant than polyethylene. PP is considered physiologically harmless and is suitable for contact with food. Polypropylene is popular for applications in the automotive industry, in the medical sector and for packaging or closures.

Overview of plastics

Abbreviation	Type of raw material	Plastic	Largely resistant to (among others)	Properties	Operating temperatures (approx.) in °C	Area of application (examples)
ABS	Granules	Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer	Resistant to water, aqueous salt solutions, diluted acids and alkalis; saturated hydrocarbons (petrol), mineral oils; animal and vegetable fats	Brilliant surface, rigid, scratch-resistant, dimensionally stable, impact-resistant, galvanisable, low weather resistance	-40 to 85	Aesthetic plastic products
PA	Granules	Polyamide	Polyamides are polar and resistant to diluted alkalis, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, fuels, alcohols, esters, ketones, fats and oils. They are not resistant to strong acids - they are already attacked by concentrated formic acid at room temperature - and bases as well as chlorinated hydrocarbons.	High strength and rigidity, excellent impact strength and good abrasion and wear resistance.	-30 to 105	Tubes, screws, nuts, washers, bearing and sliding elements
PC	Granules	Polycarbonate	Polycarbonate is resistant to diluted acids, many oils and fats as well as ethanol, but is not resistant to bases, aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, ketones and esters. Insulating properties.	Impact resistant, medium to high stiffness, high transparency, low shrinkage	-40 to 120	Housing, structural components (headlights, lenses)
PE	Granules	Polyethylene	Polyethylene has good electrical insulating properties and has good chemical resistance to a variety of acids, bases, oils and fats.	High elasticity, cold impact resistance, good sliding behaviour, hardly printable, hardly adhesive	up to 50	Caps, plugs, storage and transport containers
PE-HD	Granules	Polyethylene, high density	PE-HD also for fuel tanks	High elasticity, cold impact resistance, good sliding behaviour, hardly printable, hardly adhesive	-50 to 90	Plugs and caps
PE-LD	Granules	Polyethylene, low density	PE-LD only very limited resistance to hydrocarbons	High elasticity, cold impact resistance, good sliding behaviour, hardly printable, hardly adhesive	-40 to 80	Protective caps, lids, handles
PP	Granules	Polypropylene	Due to its non-polar character, PP is chemically very resistant. It is resistant to aqueous solutions of salts, strong acids and alkalis up to 120 °C, and possibly also to washing lyes. The highly crystalline grades have the best resistance to polar organic solvents, alcohols, esters, ketones, fats and oils.	High air permeability, low water absorption	-10 to 100	Handles, plugs, covers, tubes, containers, canisters medical applications
PVC-P	Granulate / Plastisol	Soft PVC	Salt solutions, diluted acids, diluted alkalis	Very elastic, high dielectric strength, good insulator	-30 to 60	Caps, plugs, handles, covers
PVC-U	Granules	Rigid PVC	Salt solutions, acids, alkalis, fats, oils	High dielectric strength, good insulator	-30 to 60	Caps, closures
TPE	Granules	Thermoplastic elastomers	Diluted acids, bases, surfactants, alcohols	High elasticity, wide thermal application range	-30 to 120	Handles, seals, plugs,
TPU (TPE-U)	Granules	Thermoplastic polyurethanes	Oils and fats	High elasticity, wide thermal application range	-30 to 120	Handles, seals, plugs,
TPV (TPE-V)	Granules	Cross-linked thermoplastic elastomers	Diluted acids, bases, surfactants, alcohols	High elasticity, wide thermal application range	-30 to 120	Handles, seals, plugs,

PP (polypropylene)

Overview of plastics