Physical Properties of Polypropylene
Moisture regain <0.1%
Refractive indexNnD23 1.49
Thermal conductivity 2.7x10-7 Kcal/cm/cm2.sn.oC
Heat of fusion 21 cal/g
Specific heat 0.46 cal/g.C
Density of melt at 180oC 0.769 g/cc
Heat of combustion 10,778 cal/gr
Oxygen index 17.4
Decomposition temperature range 328-410oC
Dielectric constant (0.1 M Hz) 2.25
Dissipation factor (0.1 M Hz) <0.0002
Specific volume resistivity >1016.cm

 

Resistance at 20°C Concentration % Residual Tenacity %
(after 4 days)
Hydrochloric Acid 34 100
Nitric Acid 65 90
Sulphuric Acid 95 100
Formic Acid 75 100
Glacial Acetis Acid - 100
Potassium Hydrate 40 95
Sodium Hydrate

40

100
Trichloroethylene   80
Perchloroethylene  

80

Toluene   98
Benzene   80
Sodium Hypochlorite
(5% active chlorine)
  85
Hydrogen Peroxide (12 Parts)   90

Resistance at 70°C

  Residual tenacity %
6 hrs 21 hrs
Sulphuric Acid 94 100 95
Glacial Acetic Acid   100 95
Sodium Hydrate 40 100 95

The degree of orientation achieved by drawing influences the mechanical properties of PP filaments. The greater the degree of stretch, the higher the tensile strength and the lower the elongation. Commercial PP monofilaments have an elongation at break in the region of 12-25%. Multifilaments and staple fibers are in the range of 20-30% and 20-35%, respectively.

Thermal properties
Polypropylene fibers have a softening point in the region of 150oC and a melting point at 160-170oC. At low temperatures of -70oC or lower, PP fibers remain their excellent flexibility. At high temperature (below 120oC) PP fibers nearly remain their normal mechanical properties. PP fibers have the lowest thermal conductivity of all commercial fibers. In this respect, it is the warmest fiber of all. The thermal conductivity of common textile fibers is shown in the table below:

Thermal conductivity of textile fibers.
Material Thermal conductivity relative to air
Air 1.0
PP 6.0
Wool 6.4
Acetate 8.6
Viscose 11
Cotton 17.0

Other properties
In general, PP fiber has excellent chemical resistance to acids and alkalis, high abrasion resistance and resistance to insects and pests. PP fiber is also easy to process and inexpensive compared to other synthetic fibers. Its low moisture absorption helps quick transporting of moisture.

The main drawbacks of PP fibers are:

  1. Due to low melting temperature it can be ironed with low temperatures

  2. Hard to be dyed after manufacturing except being modified

  3. Poor UV and thermal stability which requires addition of expensive UV stabilizers and antioxidants to overcome this problem,