What is the Difference Between Copolymer and Homopolymer Polypropylene

The key difference between copolymer and homopolymer polypropylene is that copolymer polypropylene is tougher and more durable than homopolymer polypropylene.

Polypropylene is a polymer produced from a propene monomer. It is a linear hydrocarbon resin. Polypropylene has the chemical formula (C3H6)n, where n is the number of monomers in the polymer. Moreover, this polymer material is one of the cheapest plastics that are available today. Polypropylene has a low density among other commodity plastics. When polymerized, it can have three basic chain structures according to the position of methyl groups: atactic, isotactic, and syndiotactic polypropylene. The two main forms of polypropylene are homopolymer form and copolymer form.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Copolymer Polypropylene
3. What is Homopolymer Polypropylene 
4. Copolymer vs Homopolymer Polypropylene in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Copolymer vs Homopolymer Polypropylene

What is Copolymer Polypropylene?

Copolymer polypropylene is a type of polymer compound that is a bit softer but has a comparatively better impact strength. Moreover, it is tougher and more durable than the homopolymer form of polypropylene. This polymer material tends to have better stress check resistance and low-temperature toughness compared to a homopolymer, but at the expense of quite small reductions in other considerable properties.

We can divide copolymer polypropylene into random copolymers and block copolymers that are produced by the polymerization of propene and ethane. The polypropylene random copolymer is prepared by the polymerization of ethane and propene together. It is a flexible and optically clear solid substance that makes it important in applications requiring transparency and products requiring an excellent appearance. Moreover, polypropylene block copolymer consists of a high content of ethane. There is a regular pattern of arrangement of co-monomer units in this material. Therefore, it is tougher and less brittle compared to random polypropylene copolymer.

There is another type of copolymer polypropylene that is uncommon. It is the impact copolymer. This material is mainly useful in applications such as packaging, houseware, pipes, and automotive and electrical segments.

What is Homopolymer Polypropylene?

Homopolymer polypropylene is a type of polymer compound that is comparatively less tough and less durable. It is the most widely utilized general-purpose grade. Typically, this polymer material consists of only the polypropylene monomers in semi-solid crystalline solid form. Homopolymer polypropylene is mainly useful in packaging, textiles, healthcare, pipes, automotive, and electrical applications.

When considering the properties of homopolymer polypropylene, it has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is stiffer and stronger compared to the copolymer. Moreover, it shows good chemical resistance and weldability, which makes it a material suitable for many corrosion-resistant structures.

What is the Difference Between Copolymer and Homopolymer Polypropylene?

Homopolymer form and copolymer form are the two main forms of polypropylene. Copolymer polypropylene is a type of polymer compound that is a bit soft but has a better impact strength, while homopolymer polypropylene is a type of polymer compound that is not as tough or durable as its copolymer form. The key difference between copolymer and homopolymer polypropylene is that copolymer polypropylene is tougher and more durable than homopolymer polypropylene.

The below infographic presents the differences between copolymer and homopolymer polypropylene in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Copolymer vs Homopolymer Polypropylene

Copolymer polypropylene is a type of polymer compound that is a bit soft but has a better impact strength, while homopolymer polypropylene is a type of polymer compound that is not as tough or durable as its copolymer form. The key difference between copolymer and homopolymer polypropylene is that copolymer polypropylene is tougher and more durable than homopolymer polypropylene. In addition, copolymer polypropylene has a high impact strength than homopolymer polypropylene.

Reference:

1.  “What’s the Difference between Polypropylene Types.” Machine Designs.
2. “Everything You Need to Know about Polypropylene (Pp) Plastic.” Creative Mechanics.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Polypropylene isotactic mini trp” By PakpongICCH444 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Torn-balloon-weather-protection” (CC0) via Pixabay