The key difference between PP and PPCP is that the PP (or polypropylene) can be either a homopolymer or a copolymer whereas the PPCP (or polypropylene copolymer) is essentially a copolymer of the polypropylene.
The term PP stands for polypropylene. We can find it in two basic forms; the homopolymer and the copolymer, due to differences in polymerization or synthesis processes. Although the two forms exhibit many similarities, there are many differences in appearance and performance as well. The term PPCP stands for polypropylene copolymer.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is PP
3. What is PPCP
4. Side by Side Comparison – PP vs PPCP in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is PP?
PP or polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer. According to the synthesis process, it is an addition polymer in which addition polymerization forms the polymer. There, the monomers link each other via chain-growth polymerization. The monomers are propylene molecules. It is available in two basic forms as the homopolymer and copolymer. The homopolymer is the widely used form of PP. We denote it as PPH. It has a high strength when compared to the weight.
Figure 01: An Isotactic Form of PP
Moreover, it is stiffer and stronger than the copolymer. It is useful in many corrosion resistant structures because of the high chemical resistance and weldability. PP has applications in clothing, medicine and niche. It is useful in producing nonwoven clothes. This polymer is recyclable as well. In addition, it is flammable. According to the tacticity of the polymer, there are three forms as follows.
- Isotactic PP (methyl groups are on the same side)
- Syndiotactic PP (methyl groups are in an alternating pattern)
- Atactic PP (methyl groups are arranged randomly)
What is PPCP?
PPCP or polypropylene copolymer is a thermoplastic polymer material. It is one of the two forms of PP available other being the homopolymer. This form is a bit softer but has a high impact strength. Moreover, it is more tough and durable than the homopolymer.
In addition, it has a high crack resistance and low-temperature toughness as well. More importantly, this copolymer does not absorb moisture. It is both chemical and corrosion resistant. The applications of this copolymer include the production of die cutting pads, fire truck water tanks, anodizing equipment, fabricated parts, etc. apart from that, this copolymer is versatile and inexpensive.
What is the Difference Between PP and PPCP?
PP is polypropylene. This polymer has two forms as homopolymer and copolymer according to the arrangement of the monomers in the polymer material. It can be either stiff or soft. PPCP is polypropylene copolymer. It is soft and highly durable than the homopolymer form. Moreover, the crack resistance and impact strength are also high comparatively. More importantly, this copolymer form is not that expensive with comparison to the homopolymer form.
Summary – PP vs PPCP
PP is polypropylene. There are two forms of this polymer as PPH and PPCP. PPH is the homopolymer form of polypropylene while PPCP is the copolymer form. The difference between PP and PPCP is that PP can be either a homopolymer or a copolymer whereas PPCP is essentially a copolymer.
Reference:
1. “Polypropylene Copolymer.” Emco Plastics. Available here
2. s Lazonby, John. “Poly(Propene) (Polypropylene).” The Essential Chemical Industry Online. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Polypropylene isotactic mini trp’By PakpongICCH444 – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia