Polypropylene resins structure

In the two-step process, polypropylene resin of typically MFR = 35 g/min and isotacticity above 90% is spun at 280°C at a low speed of 200 m/min. The spun fiber, which has a structure of low-oriented hexagonal crystallinity, is drawn at a low temperature of 60°C over seven rolls. The drawn fiber, still having a paracrystalline structure, is drawn again at a higher temperature of 110°C 140°C to change the paracrystallinity into a highly oriented... 

Heterophasic copolymer resins (so called because their morphology typically shows two or more phases) have lower stiffness and improved toughness at low temperature, down to -40°C (depending on the dispersed phase type and amount). These resins often demonstrate more complex thermal behavior (e.g., two or more melting points and reduced stiffness at elevated temperature). You can find examples of typical grades of polypropylene resins in Table 1.7. Chapter 2 describes propylene structure-property relationships that suit a variety of end-use applications. 

The molecular structure and morphology of individual polypropylene resins can be readily modified at the reactor stage via new catalyst systems. Postblends of available resins with various additives promote impact resistance, controlled rheology, thermal stability, and other desirable characteristics of the polymer matrix. The incorporation of chemical coupling agents and mineral-filler or glass-... 

Chapters 1 and 2 provide information concerning the current technology of polypropylene resin manufacture with the desired structure-property attributes. Chapters 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12 describe modification of polypropylene resins and microstructure by addition of various additives and postreactor processing. 

Traditional melt spun methods have not utilized polyethylene as the base poljuner because the resin is more expensive and the physical properties obtained have been lower compared to those obtained with polypropylene. Advances in polyethylene technology have resulted in the commercialization of new spim-bonded structures having characteristics, such as softness, not attainable with polypropylene. Although fiber-grade polyethylene resin was announced in late 1986, it has seen limited acceptance because of higher costs and continuing improvements in polypropylene resin technology (see ETHYLENE POLYMERS). 

Figure 6-16. HimonCs easily molded HiGlass materials enhance the durability of automobile fender liners. This complex liner mode for GM was injection molded in a two-cavity mold using this glass-hber-TP polypropylene resin composite that provides excellent structural integrity with good impact resistance to stones and similar objects.

Since the last edition several new materials have been aimounced. Many of these are based on metallocene catalyst technology. Besides the more obvious materials such as metallocene-catalysed polyethylene and polypropylene these also include syndiotactic polystyrenes, ethylene-styrene copolymers and cycloolefin polymers. Developments also continue with condensation polymers with several new polyester-type materials of interest for bottle-blowing and/or degradable plastics. New phenolic-type resins have also been announced. As with previous editions I have tried to explain the properties of these new materials in terms of their structure and morphology involving the principles laid down in the earlier chapters. 

Lamination Inks. This class of ink is a specialized group. In addition to conforming to the constraints described for flexo and gravure inks, these inks must not interfere with the bond formed when two or more films, eg, polypropylene and polyethylene, are joined with the use of an adhesive in order to obtain a structure that provides resistance properties not found in a single film. Laminations are commonly used for food applications such as candy and food wrappers. Resins used to make this type of ink cannot, therefore, exhibit any tendency to retain solvent vapor after the print has dried. Residual solvent would contaminate the packaged product making the product unsalable. 

In a similar approach, a pretuned glass encased microchip set to emit a unique binary code is placed in a polypropylene tea bag loaded with polystyrene beads. Using a modified split synthesis approach, a 125-membered tripeptide library N-capped as the /r-carboxy-cinnamic acid amide was prepared on Rink resin. Each porous reactor contained a radio frequency transporter which successfully defined the structure of two inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatase [37],... 

The above thermal analysis studies demonstrated the enhanced thermal stability of POSS materials, and suggested that there is potential to improve the flammability properties of polymers when compounded with these macromers. In a typical example of their application as flame retardants, a U.S. patent39 described the use of preceramic materials, namely, polycarbosilanes (PCS), polysilanes (PS), polysilsesquioxane (PSS) resins, and POSS (structures are shown in Figure 8.6) to improve the flammability properties of thermoplastic polymers such as, polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomers such as Kraton (polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene, SBS) and Pebax (polyether block-polyamide copolymer). 

The chemical structures of important amines for curing epoxy resins in adhesive systems are identified in Fig. 5.1. Diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), ra-aminoethylpiperazine (AEP), diethylaminopropylamine (DEAPA), ra-phenylenediamine (MPDA), and diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) are the most commonly used members of this class. They are all primary amines. They give room or elevated temperature cure at near stoichiometric ratios. Ethylenediamine is too reactive to be used in most practical adhesive formulations. Polyoxypropyleneamines (amine-terminated polypropylene glycols) impart superior flexibility and adhesion. 

Most polymers fall in the class of translucent resins. These include acetal, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene, and polypropylene as examples. There are very few neat polymers that are truly opaque (this depends on thickness as well). Liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is an example of a typically opaque polymer. It is theorized that these semicrystalline and crystalline resins will scatter some portion of incident light due to spherulitic crystal structure and the amorphous-crystalline region interfaces themselves. 

Plastics. Plastics are the polymeric materials with properties intermediate between elastomers and fibers. In spite of the possible differences in chemical structure, the demarcation between fibers and plastics may sometimes be blurred. Polymers such as polypropylene and polyamides can be used as fibers and plastics by a proper choice of processing conditions. Plastics can be extruded as sheets or pipes, painted on surfaces, or molded to form countless objects. A typical commercial plastic resin may contain two or more polymers in addition to various additives and fillers. Additives and fillers are used to improve some property such as the processability, thermal or environmental stability, and mechanical properties of the final product. 

Later (1935—45), new materials such as silicone were developed as water repellent and heat resistant paint. The development of epoxy resins offered a structural material for boat and car bodies. Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polycarbonate, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polypropylene, polyurethane, ABS and acetals are the latest additions to find their way into plastics technology. Studies have also been carried out with the use of fillers and plasticisers as part of the next generation of materials. 

Talc is always an attractive subject of such studies due to its platelet structure. In thermoforming and compression molding processes of three resins (PP, HDPE, and PPS), each containing 20% talc, the talc particles were always parallel to the specimen surface, regardless of the resin used. Crystallites grew in a direction normal to the surface of talc particles and thus were perpendicular to the specimen surface. But in the case of unfilled HDPE, crystallites grew parallel to the specimen surface. There was no difference in crystallite growth direction in the case of polypropylene with and without talc. 

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