What are the different types of polypropylene fiber?

During the production process of polypropylene fiber when the polypropylene is in its liquid state, different types of additives can be added to it to change the properties of the final fabrics. As per the additive added, there are mainly two types of Polypropylene fibers:

• Homopolymer polypropylene:
In homopolymer polypropylene type of polypro plastic, propylene monomer is present in a semi-crystalline solid form i.e. it is present in its original form and there are no additives added. This type of polypropylene is regarded as the general purpose grade polypropylene and is widely used for the construction of fabric materials. It has a good strength to weight ratio and is stiffer and stronger than copolymer polypropylene.

• Copolymer polypropylene:
Among the different types of polypropylene fabrics, most types of them are copolymer. Copolymer polypropylene types of polypro plastics are further divided into random copolymer polypropylene and block copolymer polypropylene.
• Polypropylene Random Copolymer: Polymerization of ethene and propene together produces polypropylene Random Copolymer. In the polypropylene chains, around 6 percent of ethene units by mass is incorporated in random patterns. These polymers have high flexibility. This type of polymer is used in applications that require excellent appearance and good transparency because these polymers are optically clear.
• Polypropylene Block Copolymer: In this form of plastics the content of ethene is 5 to 15 percent larger than that of random copolymer polypropylene. Even the co-monomer units are arranged in square patterns i.e. in the form of blocks which makes it less brittle and tougher than random copolymer. Due to high strength, this type of polymers is used in industrial applications.

Both types of Copolymer polypropylene are used for the production of clothes but, the most common one is block polymer.