By replacing wood and metal with plastic, chairs have become lighter and more resistant to wear. While some might prefer the classic look of wood or iron furniture, polypropylene or polycarbonate plastic chairs offer more advantages. They can be used indoors or outdoors without needing any special care.
Also, they are lightweight due to the nature of plastic materials, making them easy to move and even stack. That is why, when looking for a modern, durable and convenient chair, the models of polypropylene or polycarbonate plastic chairs take up the majority in various catalogs.
Now that we understand the basics of polypropylene and polycarbonate chairs, let’s see how they vary!
What is polypropylene (PP)?
Polypropylene is a polymer substance made by joining together multiple propylene molecules. It was first synthesized by G. Natta in 1954, building on work done by K. Ziegler previously. Methyl groups are attached to every other carbon on the polypropylene polymer chain.
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic, meaning it can be melted and molded into various shapes. It’s also resistant to a majority of chemicals, and has an extremely high melting point; making it perfect for industrial and commercial applications.
Some common uses for polypropylene include furniture, packaging (such as food containers), textiles, automobile parts, and Reynolds wrap. Polypropylene is also often used in injection molding and as a material for 3D printing. Polypropylene is one of the most popular plastics today thanks to its versatility, affordability, and durability.
What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a popular thermoplastic elastomer because it has many properties that are unmatched by any other single material, such as metals, glass, or other plastics.
It is an excellent electrical insulator with high impact resistance and toughness, making it ideal for electronic housings, safety glasses, and military vehicle windows.
Polycarbonate plastic can also be easily molded and colored, making it a popular choice for furniture and consumer products such as reusable water bottles and food storage containers.
In addition, polycarbonate is one of the most recyclable plastics, making it a sustainable choice for those looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Polycarbonates are linear polyesters of carbonic acid, where the dihydric phenols are linked together by ester groups. Polycarbonates are formed by the polymerization of dichloropropanol through water or nonexclusive solutions.
Including a small number of polyphenols can increase properties such as melting point and flame retardance. Polycarbonates are not compatible with strong alkaline solutions but can dissolve in chlorocarbons.
Additionally, they do not dissolve in lipids/fats. There is both general-purpose and special-use polycarbonate available on the market today.
Specialty grades exhibit unique traits that make them more valuable for specific applications, while generic grades provide adequate performance at lower costs for most regular purposes.
What is the Difference Between Polypropylene and Polycarbonate?
Manufacturing process.
- Polypropylene
The manufacturing process of polypropylene begins with the polymerization of propylene. This is accomplished through a catalytic reaction, which produces long chains of propylene molecules.
These chains are then solidified into pellets, which can be used to create a variety of products. To create the pellets, the propylene chains must be cooled and compressed.
This process can be done either manually or mechanically. Once the pellets are formed, they can create various products, including textiles, packaging materials, and medical devices.
- Polycarbonate
The manufacturing process of polycarbonate resin begins with the reaction of bisphenol A and phosgene gas.
This reaction produces a monomer called diphenyl carbonate, which combines with other monomers to create a polymer. The finished polymer is then cooled and into pellets.
The nature of hydrocarbon polymers.
- Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that is used in a variety of applications. It is made from the monomer propylene, a colorless and odorless gas.
The repeating unit in the polymer chain is the methyl group, which is attached to every second carbon atom. As a result, polypropylene is an aliphatic hydrocarbon.
The properties of polypropylene depend on the number of methyl groups in the polymer chain. For example, higher numbers of methyl groups result in lower melting points and greater flexibility.
- Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a linear polymer of carbonic acid in which the biphenyl groups are linked through carbonyl groups; thus, it is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.
It is an industrially important component because of its very high melting point (decomposition temperature) and because it is very difficult to decompose.
Properties
- Polypropylene
Polypropylene has excellent temperature resistance, meaning it can withstand high temperatures without deforming. It also has excellent fatigue resistance, meaning it can be repeatedly exposed to stress without breaking.
In addition, polypropylene has good chemical and environmental stress crack resistance, making it resistant to harsh chemicals and conditions.
Finally, polypropylene is easy to process and mold thanks to its high hardness, making it a versatile material for many applications.
- Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic known for its durability, heat resistance, and transparency.
One of the most notable properties of polycarbonate is its ability to withstand high temperatures.
Polycarbonate also has a high level of impact resistance, making it ideal for safety applications such as bulletproof glass.
In addition, polycarbonate is easy to work with and can be molded into many different shapes.
The cost
- Polypropylene
Polypropylene is cheaper than polycarbonate.
- Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is more expensive than polypropylene.
Impact resistant strength
- Polypropylene
Impact resistant strength is low.
- Polycarbonate
Impact resistant strength is high.
Major Appliances
- Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that is used in a variety of applications. It is one of the most versatile plastics and can be used in everything from packaging to textiles to automobile parts.
Unlike other plastics, polypropylene is resistant to heat and chemicals, making it an ideal material for major appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
Not only is polypropylene lightweight, but it is also durable, making it the perfect material for furniture that needs to be both reliable and easy to transport.
- Polycarbonate
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer used in various applications, including packaging, textiles, stationery, and construction.
It is also commonly used in major appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers.
Additionally, polypropylene is non-toxic and safe for use in contact with food. Consequently, it is an excellent choice for major appliances that come into contact with food often.
Why Polypropylene Chairs?
Polypropylene chairs are the preferred choice for manufacturing outdoor plastic chairs and other types of furniture. Unlike other materials such as wood or metal, polypropylene is resistant to moisture, rot and pests, making it ideal for outdoor use.
- Anti-UV
As anyone who has ever sat in a chair for too long on a sunny day knows, direct exposure to UV rays can be quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, polypropylene chairs are specially designed to resist UV damage.
Even after extended periods of exposure, polypropylene chairs will maintain their original color and shape. This makes teak wood an ideal choice for outdoor furniture, as it won’t fade or warp over time.
In addition, polypropylene chairs are easy to clean and very durable, making them a wise investment for any home office or business. Thanks to their anti-UV properties, polypropylene chairs will provide years of comfortable seating without requiring any special maintenance.
- Waterproof
PP chairs are a great choice for outdoor furniture because they are resistant to water damage. Unlike other plastic materials, PP will not absorb water if it is left out in the rain. This means that your furniture will stay dry and protected from the elements.
The waterproof feature of PP chairs makes them an ideal choice for anyone who wants to enjoy their outdoor space without having to worry about water damage.
- Resistant to chemicals
Resistant to chemicals features of PP chairs make them easy to clean. The chairs are resistant to various chemicals, making them unaffected by even the strongest acidic or alkaline cleaning materials.
This makes it possible to clean the chairs without damaging them, ensuring that they look their best for years to come.
In addition, this resistance to chemicals makes the chairs ideal for use in areas where hygiene is of paramount importance. Whether in a hospital or a food processing plant, PP chairs can be relied upon to provide a high level of cleanliness.
- Ecological
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and safe option for your family, polypropylene chairs are a great choice. They are highly sustainable and made with non-toxic materials.
They’re also very durable, so you won’t have to replace them as often as other types of chairs. And, if you do need to dispose of them, they can be easily recycled.
If you’re considering being more environmentally-friendly with your next chair purchase, polypropylene is a material you should look into.
- Longevity
Polypropylene chairs have a high life expectancy, another advantage over other types of materials such as polycarbonate.
Polypropylene is resistant to impact, aging, chemicals and temperature changes, which means they can be used in most environments and will not be damaged by daily use.
In addition, polypropylene chairs are easy to repair and refinish, so they retain their original appearance even after years of use.
In short, the long life of polypropylene chairs is one of its major advantages over other materials.
- Light
One of the most notable features of PP chairs is their light weight. This is both a practical and functional characteristic of the material, making it easy to stack.
When not in use, PP chairs can be easily stored away without taking up too much space. Furthermore, their light weight makes them easy to carry around, which is ideal for use in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic.
Overall, the light weight of PP chairs is one of their most appealing features.
Wrapping up
As you can see, there are many advantages to polypropylene chairs over polycarbonate chairs. This is why polypropylene is such a popular material for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
If you’re in the market for comfortable, easy-to-clean, durable, and eco-friendly chairs, look no further than polypropylene chairs. For more information on polypropylene chairs, visit VITA outdoor’s website today.
