Clothing or many other industrial products are useless if the fabric they are made from is not perfect. Today, the textile industry is dominating the apparel markets with the help of different types of fabric that are organic, synthetic, or even hybrid (semi-synthetic). Polypropylene fabric is one of these outstanding materials employed in various industries for several applications.
Polypropylene has many known qualities that people should know. This blog is a comprehensive guide about polypropylene material to provide you knowledge about its uses, characteristics, types, pros, and cons.
Polypropylene Fabric Explained
Polypropylene is also called olefin. It was invented by the Philips Petroleum Company in 1951. It goes by the name PP fabric in the textile industry. PP material is a synthetic fabric that is made up of thermoplastic polymers. The most common use of this material is for manufacturing packaging solutions for different industries, including apparel, medicine, automotive, food, and agriculture.
PP woven materials are created from synthetic fibers that come from the polymerization of propylene. PP fabrics can be reshaped by melting over and over again without compromising their properties due to the versatile nature of polypropylene.
As a result, PP material becomes a remarkable fabric for manufacturing companies in South Asia to offer industry-relevant packaging solutions to customers. It can be an excellent opportunity for brand owners to work closely with manufacturers that offer custom packaging services and use polypropylene and other materials for clothing and packaging.
What Are the Types of Polypropylene Fabric?
There are two types of polypropylene fabric: woven polypropylene fabric and non-woven polypropylene fabric. Here is the brief information about the types:
Woven Polypropylene Fabric
As the name suggests, woven polypropylene is a woven fabric that is produced using the weaving process. The process is carried out by interlacing the fabric with threads and yarns together.
A stable and well-structured material with outstanding patterns is created as an outcome of the weaving process. PP woven fabrics are durable and ideal for packaging bags and many other applications.
Non-woven Polypropylene Fabric
Non-woven polypropylene fabric is produced using different processes, including thermal, chemical, or mechanical. Its manufacturing doesn’t require knitting or weaving. In order to make PP material, PP polymers are spun into long, fluffy threads in a hot and ventilated environment.
Then the threads are pressed between the hot rollers to become solid, flexible and have a weave-like texture. This texture is breathable and feels amazing against the skin.
Non-woven PP materials are also versatile, like woven polypropylene, because they are also used for a duplicity of applications such as hygiene products, geotextiles, medical supplies, and more.
What Is Polypropylene Used For?
Polypropylene is used for many applications. Here is a list of all the practical uses of PP fabric:
Packaging
Food and Beverage:
Polypropylene fabric for food containers and packaging, including disposable cups, food containers, yogurt cups and pots.
Industrial Products:
Polypropylene is used for making tanks, pipes, and fittings.
Automotive Parts:
PP is actively used in producing cladding, car bumpers, batteries, and interior items.
Medical Equipment:
PP is employed in producing disposable medical instruments, specimen containers, and petri dishes.
Industrial and Chemical Items:
PP material is used for chemical packaging, cleaning items, and other industrial products.
Textiles and Fibers:
Polypropylene material is commonly employed in manufacturing mats, carpets, and upholstery It is also used for clothing products like sportswear and winterwear. Moreover, it helps in creating ropes, twines, and tapes.
Material Making:
The most common materials made of PP are plastic pallets and handling products.
Household Products:
PP is used in making bowls, crates, toys, buckets, and more.
Characteristics and Properties of Polypropylene Material
PP fabric is a popular and well-employed material with a lot of characteristics and properties:
Properties
- Vibrant.
- Durable or long-lasting dyeability.
- Remarkable dimensional stability.
- Prevents abrasion.
- Prevents friction.
- Sustainable quality of the fabric.
- Chemical resistant.
- Thermally resistant.
Characteristics
- Excellent tensile strength.
- Lightweight.
- High tensile strength.
- High thermal resistance.
- Easy care and maintenance.
Polypropylene Fabric Pros and Cons
Advantages:
- Lightweight fabric with resistance to wear and tear.
- Water resistant that resists moisture.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- It features a non-dyeable texture that is inherently stain-resistant.
- An inexpensive material to create.
- Polypropylene resists chemicals, acids, and alkalis.
- PP can withstand flexing and bending.
- It is an excellent insulator.
- Polypropylene can be reshaped through melting.
Disadvantages:
- Polypropylene fades over time when exposed to sunlight.
- It can become uncomfortable and stiff over time.
- PP fabric is non-biodegradable.
- Polypropylene has UV degradation.
- Polypropylene is flammable.
- Not as soft as other organic materials.
- Hard to dye after it is manufactured.
Conclusion
Polypropylene fabric is a high-end and high-quality material with remarkable qualities. It is employed in many industrial and clothing applications. PP fabric comes with promising pros along with several cons.
Brands utilize them in their packaging solutions since they are highly suitable for packaging services. In case you are among the business entities looking for polypropylene suppliers, look for clothing manufacturers that produce this fabric for its specific purposes.
FAQ’s
Is polypropylene a good fabric?
Yes, PP fabric is very good in terms of lightweight, breathability, and moisture-wicking.
Is polypropylene a natural fiber?
No, polypropylene is not a natural fabric. It is a synthetic material made from plastic.
Is polypropylene better than cotton?
Polypropylene is durable and water-resistant, whereas cotton is a more comfortable, breathable, and sustainable fabric.
Which is less toxic, polyester or polypropylene?
Polypropylene is less toxic due to its chemical and thermal resistance. Also, it has fewer chemical treatments as compared to polyester.
