Polypropene or polypropylene?

[VictorSilb]

Hi,

This is just a semantics question but which one is the "correct" denomination? Same goes for polyethene and polyethylene of course.

Thanks
Victor

 

[Demon3]

Polypropylene is what's in use so it's de facto correct. Never heard anyone say polypropene even if that may be the correct chemical name.

Polythene and polyethylene are both used and considered correct.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

 

[CoryPad]

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry has tackled a structure-based naming system rather than the source-based naming system that has been used since the start of the polymer industry. Technically, the polymer known as polypropylene should be called poly(1-methylethylene). You can learn more by following these links:

http://iupac.org/publications/pac/pdf/2002/pdf/7410x1921.pdf

http://old.iupac.org/reports/provisional/abstract08/vohlidal_prs.pdf

 

[patprimmer]

Like Chris.

I have in over 40 years of being heavily involved in the industry as a raw materials expert never heard the term polypropene. It has always been polypropylene with PP or Prop or poly prop being used for short. Some tongue in cheek call it polywarpelene in recognition of its strong tendency to differential shrinkage causing warping.

I have heard polyethylene called Polythene as that was an ICI trade name, like Teflon is a DuPont trade name for PTFE or Perspex or Plexiglass for PMMA sheet and Lexan or Makrolon for polycarbonate. Like Teflon, Perspex, Plexiglass, Lexan and Makrolon the trade name Polythene by common use became the generic name in some markets.

If you call plastics by the official systematic chemical name, you may be correct, but only a handful of academics will know what you are talking about so despite being correct, you will fail to effectively communicate..

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[VictorSilb]

Thank you guys for the answers!

Pat, I agree, for what is in essence such a trivial matter, we might as well stick with the name 99% of people use. Even if some professor claims it isn't entirely correct.

Regards
Victor