Overview

Polypropylene (pol-ee-PRO-pih-leen) is a translucent white solid that is resistant to attack by heat, abrasion, inorganic acids and bases, most organic materials, and bacteria and fungi. It has high electrical resistance and tensile strength (its resistance to being pulled apart) and is very flexible. It takes on color well and can be coated with chrome. It can be prepared in a number of shapes and forms by extrusion and molding. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer, meaning that it can be heated and cooled repeatedly, changing from a solid to a liquid and back again. Polypropylene is currently available under a number of trade names, including Amco®, Amerfil®, Azdel®, Beamette®, Clysar®, Daplen®, Dexon®, Epolene®, Gerfil®, Herculon®, Lambeth®, Lupareen®, Meraklon®, Mitsui Polypro®, Noblen®, Novolen®, Pellon®, Polypro®, Profax®, Propathene®, Propolin®, Propophane®, Shoallomer®, and Tuff-Lite®. Considerable dispute exists as to who should receive credit for inventing propylene. According to one history...