Polypropylene conditions

When propene is polymerized under free radical conditions the polypropylene that results IS atactic Catalysts of the Ziegler-Natta type however permit the preparation of either isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene We see here an example of how proper choice of experimental conditions can affect the stereochemical course of a chemical reaction to the extent that entirely new materials with unique properties result... 

Chemically Resistant Fibers. Fibers with exceUent chemical resistance to corrosive and/or chemical warfare agents or extreme pH conditions (eg, very acidic or very alkaline) were initially used for protective clothing. However, appHcations for filtration of gases and Hquids in numerous industrial faciHties are now the more important. For example, PPS is suitable for use in filter fabrics for coal-fired boilers because of its outstanding chemical and heat resistance to acidic flue gases and its exceUent durabUity under these end use conditions. Many high tenacity fibers are also chemically inert or relatively unaffected under a variety of conditions. Aramids, gel spun polyethylene, polypropylene, fluorocarbon, and carbon fibers meet these criteria and have been used or are being considered for appHcations where chemical resistance is important. 

Polypropylene molecules repeatedly fold upon themselves to form lamellae, the sizes of which ate a function of the crystallisa tion conditions. Higher degrees of order are obtained upon formation of crystalline aggregates, or spheruHtes. The presence of a central crystallisation nucleus from which the lamellae radiate is clearly evident in these stmctures. Observations using cross-polarized light illustrates the characteristic Maltese cross model (Fig. 2b). The optical and mechanical properties ate a function of the size and number of spheruHtes and can be modified by nucleating agents. Crystallinity can also be inferred from thermal analysis (28) and density measurements (29). 

Thermodynamic Properties. The thermodynamic melting point for pure crystalline isotactic polypropylene obtained by the extrapolation of melting data for isothermally crystallized polymer is 185°C (35). Under normal thermal analysis conditions, commercial homopolymers have melting points in the range of 160—165°C. The heat of fusion of isotactic polypropylene has been reported as 88 J/g (21 cal/g) (36). The value of 165 18 J/g has been reported for a 100% crystalline sample (37). Heats of crystallization have been determined to be in the range of 87—92 J/g (38). 

Foi example, nylon pile fabrics, exhibiting higher moisture regain, have different traction characteristics under wet and dry conditions than do polypropylene-based materials. Effects of artificial turf fabric constmction on shoe traction ate given in Table 2. Especially effective in aiding fabric surface uniformity is texturing of the pile ribbon, a process available for the two principal pile materials nylon and polypropylene. 

Typical substrates for siUcone release coatings are supercalendered kraft paper, glassines, and thermally sensitive films such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Ideal curing conditions are 150°C or lower, and line speeds are as fast as 460 m /min. Key properties for release coatings are cure speed, integrity of cure, and stable release values. 

Processing is relatively easy. In general, products based on S—B—S are processed under conditions appropriate for polystyrene, whereas products based on S—EB—S are processed under conditions appropriate for polypropylene. Pre-drying is not needed and scrap is recycled. 

The standard melt flow index machine is often used for characterising the flow properties of polypropylene and to provide a rough measure of molecular weight. Under the conditions normally employed for polyethylene (2.16 kg load at 190°C) the flow rate is too low for accurate measurement and in practice higher loads, e.g. 10 kg, and/or higher temperatures are used. It has been found that a considerable pressure drop exists in the barrel so that the flow towards the end of a test run is higher than at the beginning. 

As a blow moulding material polypropylene has never enjoyed the success of HDPE. This is in large measure because moulding of the former requires more attention to equipment design and operating conditions. Many successful mouldings have nevertheless been made commercially including chairs, horticultural sprayers and motor car parts. 

The commercial poly-(4-methypent-1-ene) (P4MP1) is an essentially isotactic material which shows 65% crystallinity when annealed but under more normal conditions about 40%. For reasons given later the material is believed to be a copolymer. In the crystalline state P4MP1 molecules take up a helical disposition and in order to accommodate the side chains require seven monomer units per two turns of the helix (c.f. three monomers per turn with polypropylene and polybut-I-ene). Because of the space required for this arrangement the density of the crystalline zone is slightly less than that of the amorphous zone at room temperature. 

The important beneficial effects that substrate roughness can bring were firmly established in the late sixties and early seventies, principally as a result of work in two areas. The first was associated with the electroless deposition of metals onto plastics such as ABS and polypropylene. In the process the plastics must be etched in a way which produces pits on a micrometre scale. Such a topography had been shown to be a necessary, but not sufficient condition for adequate adhesion [40]. 

Operating conditions are important determinants of the choice of filter media and sealant used in the cartridges. Some filter media, such as cellulose paper filters, are useful only at relatively low temperatures of 95 to 150"C (200 to 300°F). For high-temperature flue gas streams, more thermally stable filter media, such as nonwoven polyester, polypropylene, or Nomex, must be used. A variety of commercially available sealants such as polyurethane plastic and epoxy will allow fabric operating temperatures up tol50°C (300°F). Selected sealants such as heat cured Plasitcol will withstand operating temperatures up to 200°C (400°F). 

Fig. 2.80 is typical of the effects which may be observed with several common plastics materials. C ite apart from the changes in impact strength with temperature an important lesson which should be learned from this diagram is that the ranking of the materials is once again influenced by the test conditions. For example, at 20°C polypropylene is superior to acetal whereas at — 20°C it... 

A polypropylene pipe with an outside diameter of 80 mm is required to withstand a constant pressure of 0.5 MN/m for at least 3 years. If the density of the material is 909 kg/m and the maximum allowable strain is 1.5% estimate a suitable value for the wall thickness of the pipe. If a lower density grade of polypropylene (p = 905 kg/m ) was used under the same design conditions, would there be any weight saving per unit length of pipe ... 

Deep fluonnation using the La-Mar technique was carried out on polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene [M], on polyethers [19, 20, 21], and on polyesters subsequently treated with sulfur Cetrafluoride [22] Deep fluorinations carried out under conditions producing limited fragmentation produced oligomeric perlluoropolyethers from powdered polyethylene oxide [23] Deep fluorinations earned out in the limited presence of molecular oxygen result in the conversion of... 

Many high molecular weight synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, have a large percentage of their molecules in the crystalline state. Prior to dissolution, these polymers must usually be heated almost to their melting points to break up the crystalline forces. Orthodichlorobenzene (ODCB) is a typical mobile phase for these polymers at 150°C. The accuracy and stability of the Zorbax PSM columns under such harsh conditions make them ideal for these analyses (Fig. 3.8). 

MMA onto cellulose was carried out by Hecker de Carvalho and Alfred using ammonium and potassium persulfates as radical initiators [30]. Radical initiators such as H2O2, BPO dicumylperoxide, TBHP, etc. have also been used successfully for grafting vinyl monomers onto hydrocarbon backbones, such as polypropylene and polyethylene. The general mechanism seems to be that when the polymer is exposed to vinyl monomers in the presence of peroxide under conditions that permit decomposition of the peroxide to free radicals, the monomer becomes attached to the backbone of the polymer and pendant chains of vinyl monomers are grown on the active sites. The basic mechanism involves abstraction of a hydrogen from the polymer to form a free radical to which monomer adds ... 

Thus in this system, in addition to the usual requirements, the separator has the task of delaying penetration for as long as possible. A membrane would be regarded as perfect which lets hydroxyl ions pass, but not the larger zincate ions. This requirements is best met by regenerated cellulose ( cellophane ) [10,11], which in swollen condition shows such ion-selective properties but at the same time is also chemically very sensitive and allows only a limited number of cycles the protective effects of additional fleeces of polyamide or polypropylene have already been taken into account. 

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