This is a classic article from New ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´â€™s archive, republished as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations
POLYPROPYLENE articles, tubing and film were on show at the international trade fair just held in Milan. Since it was first rumoured that Montecatini’s scientists had succeeded in polymerising propylene, there has been a great deal of speculation about the reactions involved and keen interest in this possible rival to polyethylene.
Two major difficulties which hampered the development of the process were instability of the polymer under oxidising conditions and a tendency to crystallise on ageing. These, it seems, have been largely overcome by the use of antioxidants and surface-active agents respectively.
Advertisement
Polypropylene is said to be an excellent insulating medium, having superior stretch and stress qualities, and can be heated up to about 160 °C. This high temperature resistance means that polypropylene products can be heat-sterilised – clearly an advantage in many applications. Moulding, extrusion and blowing techniques can be applied to this plastic, and the makers have high hopes that, in the film form, it will prove an important substitute for cellulose film.
The Italian company recently started production of polypropylene on a limited industrial scale. The initial output has been used for experimental purposes – samples were made available to interested manufacturers – and to gauge the consumers’ attitude to the material.
This article was originally published in New ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ on 2 May 1957
50 Years of New ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´: The Best Articles – find many more in our exclusive Special Report. You can also have your say on what you think was the biggest scientific advance of the last 50 years, in our
