The raw material of polystyrene and polypropylene makes the difference between the products. By replicating polymer molecules, polypropylene polymers can be produced. These molecules have a high weight and are composed of 10,000 atoms. With polymerization, a long polymer chain can be created. Polystyrene and polypropylene are both polymers; Polystyrene and polypropylene are both important polymers, and the raw material and molecular structure of both are different. Polypropylene is a transparent plastic material and is used for the production of industrial goods. In addition, this material is used for the production of auto parts, industrial goods, consumer goods, and furniture. Polystyrene is used in the production of laboratory utensils and tubes and Petri dishes.
Types of polymers
- Isotactic – placement of phenyl groups on one side
- Syndiotactic – placement of phenyl groups on both sides with an alternating pattern
- Atactic – Random placement of phenyl groups
Polystyrene
Polystyrene is made from molecules of the same name. It is an aromatic polymer in which there is a hydrocarbon chain to which each carbon atom attaches to another carbon. Phenyl molecules attach to carbons. Polystyrene is a type of vinyl polymer that polymerizes free radicals to process free radicals. It is a hard and solid material. The edges of the cutlery are made of polystyrene and the cuts can be easily made with this material.
Differences between polystyrene and polypropylene
Applications of polystyrene
Polystyrene is used in the manufacture of toys, kitchen utensils, disposable food packaging containers, and components inside computer cases. It is recyclable; So it does a little damage to the environment.
It is one of the most practical plastics and is cheap, hard and durable, and resistant to acid and base. This material is used to produce laboratory and Petri dishes. The structure of this material is similar to glass. But some products are not resistant to 100 degrees Celsius; As a result, they are less likely to be recycled. People throw them away after a single use, and a lot of plastic products are made from this material.
This material is the best material used by laboratory industries for transporting and storing laboratory samples.
Polypropylene
It is composed of propylene molecules and its molecular structure is three carbons and two separate carbons. Titanium chloride can be used to produce polypropylene gas. It is possible to produce this substance in pure form.
Comparison between Polystyrene and polypropylene
Propylene is a hard thermoplastic material used in packaging, household products, battery packs, and medical devices.
This plastic is transparent compared to polystyrene and is also used to produce disposable tableware and utensils.
Applications of polypropylene
- Automobile industry
- Industrial applications
- Consumer goods
- Furniture
Types of polypropylene
Homopolymer: The most common use of this substance; It is a semi-solid crystalline form and is used in packaging, textiles, healthcare products, pipes, auto parts, and the electrical industry.
Copolymer: With the polymerization of propane and ethane, they are divided into random and block propylene.
Random copolymers: These are flexible and transparent and are used for transparent products.
Block copolymers: They are rigid and are used for industrial purposes.
polystyrene and polypropylene Experimetns
Properties of polypropylene
- Lightweight
- Resistant to cracking, electrolytes, organic solvents, and acids
- High melting point
- Non-toxic
- Excellent dielectric properties
- Valuable
Applications of polypropylene
It is used to make bottles, glasses, flasks, and test tubes. It is extremely strong and unbreakable. It is resistant to acids, bases, and chemicals, and the heat resistance of many polypropylene products allows them to be autoclaved. The melting point of polypropylene products varies from 130 to 171 degrees Celsius depending on the quality of the product. This type of plastic is opaque and colorless, but it is also available in a transparent form.
polystyrene and polypropylene in medicine
All polypropylene products can be sterilized and can be used without the need for replacement. So you can save money. But in some cases, glass products are preferred over plastic products.
Because the quality of polypropylene is high, it is preferred over other plastics and can be used in many cases. It is durable and resistant to chemicals, acids, bases, and solvents. Due to its resistance to high heat, this product can be used for laboratory and industrial purposes.
The difference between polystyrene and polypropylene
Both ingredients are used in daily life. The raw materials of both are different from each other. Polystyrene is composed of phenyl molecular groups and polypropylene is composed of methyl molecular groups. The production methods of both are different from each other.
Comparison of polypropylene and polystyrene pipes
Definition
The raw materials of both are different from each other and the raw material is made of the same material. The properties of both materials are different.
Molecular group
Polystyrene is composed of phenyl molecular group and polypropylene is composed of methyl molecular group.
How to produce
Polystyrene is polymerized by vinyl’s free radicals and the polymerization growth chain is used to produce polypropylene.
According to the properties and characteristics of both products, the desired use can be specified. There are commercial products of both materials with different qualities.
Conclusion
Polystyrene and polypropylene are both important polymers, and the raw material and molecular structure of both are different.
Polypropylene is a transparent plastic material and is used to produce industrial goods. This material is used to produce auto parts, industrial goods, consumer goods, and furniture.
Polystyrene is a transparent material and is used to produce laboratory utensils and tubes and Petri dishes. The structure of this material is suitable for the production of disposable tableware and therefore the goods of this material are produced in high volumes.