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Have you ever wondered what makes everyday plastic products so durable and cost-effective? Have you noticed that most of the plastic products you use have a PP triangle on them? PP plastic (polypropylene) is the star of all commodity plastics because it is lightweight, tough, and easy to process into many forms.
Why is PP the material of choice for everyday plastic products? Is PP material safe? What are its advantages over other plastic materials? Let’s uncover the secrets of polypropylene.
What is PP Plastic?
PP is short for polypropylene, which is a polyolefin that is slightly harder than polyethylene and has the chemical formula (C3H6)n. First polymerized in 1951 by Phillips petrochemical chemists J. Paul Hogan and Robert Banks, PP plastic is a low-density, high-heat-resistant thermoplastic resin.
The enthusiasm for the development of polypropylene continues to this day, and the use of bio-based resources to make polypropylene is still a hot topic in the 21st century. Today, PP plastic is the second largest commodity plastic in terms of production, second only to polyethylene, and is widely used in industries such as consumer goods, packaging, automobiles, medical, and cast film.
Is PP Plastic Safe?
The use of PP plastic is considered safe. PP plastic is non-toxic, odorless, and does not contain harmful substances such as BPA (bisphenol A), making it particularly suitable for packaging food and drinking water. From an occupational health and safety perspective, PP does not have any significant impact in terms of chemical toxicity.
Some poor-quality PP plastic products on the market may contain impurities or additives that may have an impact on human health under certain conditions. Therefore, it is very important to choose PP plastic products produced by regular manufacturers.
For food storage containers, LEBO uses food-grade PP materials. Food-grade PP material has the following characteristics:
Non-toxic and harmless: Food-grade PP materials strictly control the content of harmful substances during the production process to ensure that harmful substances are not released when in contact with food, thereby protecting human health.
Good temperature resistance: Food-grade PP materials can withstand a certain temperature range and can usually be used in high-temperature environments to maintain stability. This makes food-grade PP materials ideal for making food containers that require heating, such as microwave lunch boxes.
Excellent chemical stability: The chemical stability of PP materials makes food-grade PP materials an ideal material for making food packaging containers.
Universal Recycling Symbol for PP Plastics
The universal recycling symbol for PP plastics is a circular arrow in a triangle with the number “5” inside and the letters “PP” underneath. This symbol indicates that the plastic is polypropylene and can be recycled.
At LEBO Daily Plasticware Company, most of our products are made from PP plastic. It can be used to make ultra-thin plastic sheets that withstand high levels of physical stress. It can also withstand twisting movements of up to 360 degrees without breaking, making it an ideal material for daily plasticware.
Characteristics of PP Plastic
Transparency
Most of the PP plastic we see are colorless, transparent or translucent materials. Although PP plastic itself is not completely transparent, it can be modified to obtain translucent PP materials for some products that require a certain degree of transparency.
Lightweight
PP plastic has a low density of about 0.90~0.91g/cm³. It is light compared to other plastic materials. This makes it an ideal material for portable household plastic products.
Durable and strong
With high impact resistance, PP material can withstand a lot of force without breaking.
Thermal stability
PP material has high heat resistance and a melting point of up to 167℃. Due to its high melting point, PP material is an excellent material for kitchen utensils and food utensils. Food storage containers made of PP material can be microwaved and are not easily deformed.
Water resistance
This material is highly impermeable and is very suitable for use in wet or humid environments. Therefore, many products that are used in bathrooms or kitchens for a long time, as well as cleaning utensils, are made of PP material.
Chemical resistance
PP plastic has good corrosion resistance and chemical resistance, and can resist a variety of chemical solvents such as acids, alkalis, and organic solvents.
Biological resistance
PP plastic itself has certain antibacterial properties and is not easy to breed bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms. This makes PP plastic advantageous in fields that require high hygiene standards, such as medical and food packaging.
Fatigue resistance
PP plastic has excellent fatigue resistance and can maintain its shape after twisting or bending. It does not allow for breakage, which is why it is an ideal material for active hinges, such as the flip lid of a food storage container, or the lid on a shampoo.
Recyclable
PP plastic is a sustainable material and it is fully recyclable. Unlike other plastics, it can be reused, thus avoiding ending up in landfills, helping to reduce environmental pollution and resource waste. Global brands are keen to prove their sustainable development credentials and are currently investing heavily in their own industrial applications to recycle PP plastics.
Compared With Other Commonly Used Plastics
Compared with PE (polyethylene): PP’s heat resistance, rigidity, hardness are better than PE, and chemical resistance is stronger.
Compared with PS (polystyrene): PP has low density, light weight, chemical resistance and heat resistance are better than PS.
Compared with PC (polycarbonate): Although PC is more outstanding in transparency, impact resistance and electrical properties, PP material is more affordable and also has advantages in chemical corrosion resistance and density.
How to Tell If A Plastic Product Is Made of PP Plastic?
Physical property inspection
Density and weight: PP is a lightweight material. Compared with other plastics such as ABS or PC, PP products tend to be lighter at the same volume.
Hardness and toughness: PP materials have good toughness and rigidity, are not easy to break, and have a certain bending ability. By bending or knocking the product with your hands, you can initially feel its hardness and toughness.
Sensory inspection
Odor: PP materials are odorless and tasteless, and you can tell whether they contain pungent odors by smelling the product.
Feel: PP materials feel smooth to the touch, but may be slightly rough compared to PE (polyethylene).
Sound: PP products usually make a loud sound when knocked, which helps to distinguish them from other plastics.
Application of PP Plastic in Daily Plasticware
Kitchen supplies
Food storage containers: Food storage containers made of PP plastic can be safely used for microwave heating and refrigerator storage. These food storage containers are usually equipped with sealing lids, which can effectively prevent food leakage and external contamination, and keep the food fresh and hygienic.
Lunch boxes: PP plastic lunch boxes are suitable for refrigeration and microwave heating. They can be taken out of the refrigerator and put into the microwave for heating, which is convenient and quick. PP plastic lunch boxes are lightweight and unbreakable, making them ideal for daily use
Tableware: Some tableware made of PP plastic, such as bowls, cups, etc., are lightweight and resistant to falling, making them suitable for children or outdoor use.
Storage and organize supplies
Storage boxes: PP materials can be made into storage boxes of various uses and sizes, which can be used to store items such as clothing, toys, and books. These storage boxes are usually durable, easy to clean, and easy to move.
Plastic wardrobes: The lightweight and easy-to-assemble characteristics of PP plastic wardrobes are very practical. It also has high mechanical strength and impact resistance, and can withstand various pressures and impacts in daily use, ensuring the durability of the wardrobe.
Shoe boxes: Transparent or covered PP plastic shoe boxes can help users store shoes neatly and make it easy to find. PP shoe boxes provide ample storage space and convenient classification and storage methods.
Cleaning supplies
Trash cans, buckets, and basins: PP trash cans, buckets, and basins are corrosion-resistant and easy to clean, suitable for homes, offices, and other places.
Summary
PP plastic is a non-toxic, harmless, lightweight, heat-resistant, and highly stable material. Because of its price and characteristics, PP material has become the preferred material for plastic household products. Most of the products of LEBO Plastic Household Products Company use PP as raw material. We design and produce a wide range of plastic household products, covering a wide range of fields such as kitchen, storage, bathroom supplies, cleaning supplies, etc., which not only have excellent performance characteristics but also are environmentally friendly and durable. If you are looking for a reliable plastic household product supplier, we will be your most trustworthy choice. Click here to view our wholesale product range.
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