Bonding Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE) plastics is always a challenge due to their low surface energy (LSE) characteristics. Hitta offers specialized bonding solutions for all difficult-to-bond materials, including PE and PP.
Polypropylene (PP)
With superior flexibility and performance, polypropylene emerges as a range of products spanning most industries and sectors, rapidly becoming the preferred material for modern manufacturing processes.
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer used in various applications. It is the second most widely produced plastic material (after polyethylene) and is commonly used in packaging and labeling.
The advantages of Polypropylene pose challenges for bonding this material, as adhesives require similar characteristics, including:
- Chemical resistance: Bases and dilute acids do not readily react with polypropylene, making it a good choice for containers of such liquids, such as cleaning agents, first aid products, etc.
- Elasticity and toughness: Polypropylene exhibits elasticity within a certain range (like all materials), but it also undergoes early plastic deformation during deformation, so it is often considered a “stiff” material. Toughness is a technical term defined as the ability of a material to deform (plastically, non-elastically) without breaking.
- Fatigue resistance: Polypropylene retains its shape after repeated twisting, bending, and/or folding. This property is particularly valuable for living hinges.
- Insulation: Polypropylene has high electrical insulation properties, making it very useful for electronic components.
- Light transmission capability: While Polypropylene can be made transparent, it is often produced to have a natural opaque color. Polypropylene can be used for applications where some light transmission is important or where it has aesthetic value. If high light transmission is desired, plastics such as Acrylic or Polycarbonate are better options.
Polyethylene (PE, HDPE, LDPE)
Polyethylene is a lightweight, durable thermoplastic with a crystalline structure. Polyethylene is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world. Polyethylene is considered a “thermoplastic” because of how it reacts to heat, becoming liquid at its melting point rather than burning. A useful property of thermoplastics is that they can be heated to their melting point, cooled, and reheated without significant degradation.
The advantages of Polyethylene pose challenges for bonding this material, as adhesives require similar characteristics, including:
- Polyethylene has high elasticity and very high impact strength.
- Polyethylene is known to be an excellent electrical insulator.
- Excellent resistance to most solvents.
- Very good resistance to alcohols, dilute acids, and alkalis.
- Moderate resistance to oils and greases.
- Higher tensile strength compared to other forms of polyethylene.
- Low-cost polymer with good processability.
- Good resistance to low temperatures.
- Very low water absorption.
- Safe, non-toxic, and suitable for food contact.
Applications of Polypropylene PP & Polyethylene PE
Some of the most common applications of polypropylene and polyethylene are:
- Flexible & rigid packaging.
- Fashion and sports industries (e.g., tote bags and canvas bags).
- Medical applications.
- Consumer products.
- Automotive industry.
In summary, PP and PE are more sustainable plastics compared to others of their kind. They offer numerous advantages in terms of structure, chemistry, and physics, with very low production costs, and are highly prevalent in various aspects of daily life.
Why are Polypropylene & Polyethylene difficult to bond?
PP and PE are known to be challenging to bond due to their low surface energy. This characteristic makes it difficult for adhesive materials to wet the surface and form strong bonds. Instead, the adhesive material tends to bead up on the surface rather than spread and adhere:
However, advancements in adhesive chemistry and techniques have made bonding Polypropylene PP & Polyethylene PE more feasible than ever before. Please contact Hitta for tailored solutions and specific case consultations.
Contact us
Hitta specializes in providing various specialized tapes for both industrial and commercial sectors. Contact us for the most cost-effective and efficient solution consultations.
- ☎️ Hotline: 090.8611.011 (Mr. Dương).
- ✉️ Email: hittajsc@hitta.vn
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