Polypropylene is a very useful plastic for injection moulding.

In addition to the
conventional plastic applications, polypropylene also lends itself well in fibre applications, which
give it even a wider range of uses that goes beyond just injection moulding, including: ropes,
carpets, upholstery, clothing, and the like. However, Polypropylene is one of those rather
versatile polymers out there. It serves double duty, both as a plastic and as a fiber. As a plastic
it's used to make things like dishwasher-safe food containers. It can do this because it doesn't
melt below 160oC, or 320oF. Polyethylene, a more common plastic, will anneal at around 100oC,
which means that polyethylene dishes will warp in the dishwasher. As a fiber, polypropylene is
used to make indoor-outdoor carpeting, the kind that you always find around swimming pools
and miniature golf courses. It works well for outdoor carpet because it is easy to make colored
polypropylene, and because polypropylene doesn't absorb water, like nylon does.
Advantages of Polypropylene
1. Polypropylene is widely considered one to be one of the most versatile type of plastic
since it is used in a wide variety of applications including packaging and
labelling, textiles (e.g., ropes, thermal underwear and carpets), stationery, plastic parts
and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers,
automotive components, and polymer banknotes.
2. Polypropylene has a high melting point compared to similarly weighted plastics. As a
result, this product works very well for use in food containers (like microwavable
containers) where temperatures can reach high levels - such as microwaves and in
dishwashers. With a melting point of 320 degrees F or 160 degrees C, it is easy to see
why this application makes sense.
3. Polypropylene doesnt absorb water like other plastics. Hence, it doesnt react with
water, detergents, acids, or bases, therefore it wont break down easily.
4. Polypropylene is resistant to fatigue (cracking and stress), even when flexed, so its used
in lots of hinges; It is unlikely to shatter and will take significant damage prior to
breaking, though it is not as sturdy as other plastics such as polyethylene.
5. Polypropylenes characteristics make it ideal for tough, robust products ranging from
protective car bumpers to life-saving medical tools to cold-weather gear for our soldiers.
Plus it also can be engineered into a wide range of packaging that helps protect
products we rely on every day, from medicine to yogurt to baby food. Polypropylene is
quite durable.

6. Polypropylene can be melted and reformed into plastic pellets that then are used to
make new products. In fact, polypropylene bottles and containers are collected for
recycling in most curb side programs across the country. In the United States of
America, polypropylene is the key part of the number one recycled product in America
which is the car batteries. More than 95 percent of car batteries are recycled in this
country to recover their metals and plastics (polypropylene).