polypropylene

[ pol-ee-proh-puh-leen ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a plastic polymer of propylene, (C 3 H 5 ) n , used chiefly for molded parts, electrical insulation, packaging, and fibers for wearing apparel.

polypropylene

/ ˌpɒlɪˈprəʊpɪˌliːn /

noun

1. any of various tough flexible synthetic thermoplastic materials made by polymerizing propylene and used for making moulded articles, laminates, bottles, pipes, and fibres for ropes, bristles, upholstery, and carpets Systematic namepolypropene

polypropylene

/ pŏl′ē-prō′pə-lēn′ /

1. Any of various thermoplastic resins that are polymers consisting of repeated branched units derived from propane and having the formula CH 2 CH(CH 3 ), usually with the methane groups (CH 3 ) all on one side of the chain. Polypropylenes are similar to polyethylenes but are harder and tougher and are used to make molded articles and fibers.
2. A fabric of fibers made from any of these resins.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polypropylene¹

First recorded in 1930–35; poly- + propylene

Example Sentences

Because they are made of polypropylene, most paints will chip off.

From Washington Post

To boost viability, Coates and colleagues created a highly potent compatibilizer for polyethylene and polypropylene.

From Science News

They suggest wearing a cloth mask with two tightly woven layers and a filter made out of a type of plastic called polypropylene in between.

From Popular-Science

It also comes with three disposable filters made from non-woven polypropylene—the same stuff that’s in some reusable bags—that serve as a third layer of protection.

From Popular-Science

Existing worldwide supplies of the melt-blown polypropylene used in the most coveted PPE item in hospitals—the N95 respirators capable of filtering out the virus—are spoken for through at least the first few months of 2021.

From MIT Technology Review