)( D.1 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax Blow Moulding Process & Barrier Containers Part 1.4 Basic Polypropylene chemistry

)( D.2 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax History of Plastics 1869 Celluloid 1930 Polystyrene (PS) 1933 Acrylic (PMMA) 1938 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 1938 Polyamide (Nylon) 1939 Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) 1940 Polyurethane 1941 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon) 1943 Silicones 1946 Epoxy Resins 1955 High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) 1956 Polycarbonate (PC) 1957 Polypropylene (PP)

)( D.3 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax Propylene Monomer and Polypropylene Polymer

)( D.4 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax PP Types

)( D.5 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax Use only one monomer, propylene in this case Homopolymer Structure: PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP Standard abbreviation: HPP –other abbreviations: PPH, PP Homopolymers consist of: –isotactic PP 85-99% –atactic PP 1-3% –stereoblock 5-14% –syndiotactic 0-2% HPP is used for all applications Homopolymer

)( D.6 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax Contain Ethylene and Propylene evenly distributed throughout each molecule Random Copolymer Structure: EPPPPPPPEPPPPPEPPP Standard abbreviation: RCP –Other abbreviations: RCPP, RACO, PPR, Mini-copo RCP’s are used for their superior clarity, flexibility, sealability, orientability and/or lower crystallization temperature RCP’s contain 0.4 to 7% ethylene Random Copolymers

)( D.7 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax Contents –contain 2 phases. –matrix is typically HPP –dispersed phase consists of molecules of ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) –Also called a block copolymer Impact Copolymer: PPPPPPPP + EPPEEPEPEP + PPPPPPP Standard abbreviation: ICP also called Heterophasic Copolymers –Other abbreviations: HCP, HECO, PPC ICP’s are normally designed to maximize impact resistance & stiffness ICP’s contain 5 to 25% ethylene Impact Copolymers

)( D.8 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax Is a stereoregular form of PP and is the main component of HPP. –Hard and semi-crystalline –The level of isotacticity in the polymer is proportional to modulus or stiffness –Has all methyl groups on one side of molecule Isotactic PP (iPP)

)( D.9 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax Is a stereoregular form of PP (made by ATOFINA) –tough and rubbery –methyl groups alternates to the opposite side of the molecule –e.g. Syndiotactic PP (sPP)

)( D.10 Assocomaplast - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/ Assago - Milan - Italy - tel fax An irregular form of PP –Soft and waxy, or soft & rubbery –Amorphous low molecular weight waxes –The methyl groups are oriented randomly –e.g. Atactic PP (aPP)