What is polypropylene? Characteristics and uses in digital printing

[jrineakter]

Polypropylene is one of those materials that is used to make many of our everyday objects. But have you ever wondered what it is and what its most significant uses are in digital printing? Find out in this article.

What is polypropylene?
It is a linear-chain thermoplastic polymer with a very high melting point and high tensile strength. It is considered one of the most important and versatile polymers of the 20th century due to its wide variety of uses, low cost and mass production worldwide.

It was developed by German chemist Karl Ziegler and Italian chemist Giulio Natta in the 1950s using transition metal catalysis. In 1953, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work in developing polypropylene and other polymers, which led to their large-scale manufacture. All of this led to the emergence of new uses for these materials.



One of the main materials used in digital printing
In digital printing, this thermoplastic is usually used in the form of sheets that are loaded into a specialized printer. In this way, the injectors heat the ink and apply it, producing germany telegram mobile phone number list the desired image. This thermoplastic polymer is a commonly used material thanks to its moisture and chemical resistant properties, as well as its good dimensional stability. For this reason, it is used for printing a wide variety of indoor and outdoor products, such as labels, signage and advertising posters, among others.

Below we highlight the types of polypropylene most commonly used in this field:

Cellular polypropylene : panel formed by a core of air cells embedded in the structure of the material. It is suitable for both outdoor and indoor applications.
Alveolar polypropylene : a board with a grooved core, i.e. a honeycomb-like cell structure. It is more rigid, flat and resistant than cellular polypropylene due to the difference in thickness and density of its structures.
Application of corona treatment
Corona treatment is a process through which a high-frequency electrical discharge is applied, which modifies the molecular structure of the plastic material, allowing for greater ink adhesion. Without this treatment, the surface of the polypropylene is inert and non-porous, which means that the ink does not adhere properly.

Sustainability with the environment
Being a thermoplastic, it is a 100% recyclable material, making it environmentally sustainable. For recycling, it is cleaned, crushed and melted to produce a high-quality material that can be used in the manufacture of new products. However, it is important to note that its recycling often requires a separation and sorting process, as it is usually contaminated with other materials.