Polypropylene is closely connected with polyethylene with respect to raw materials, manufacturing technique as well as properties. The raw materials, i.e. propylene and ethylene, are both contained in a large amount in the decomposing gas of petroleum. Above all, polypropylene and polyethylene are manufactured with the same industrial method, namely, through polymerization with catalyzer under low pressure. Polypropylene is an equilibrious polymer, with regular molecular structure and orderly arrangement, and which is provided with high crystallinity and superior heat resistance and intensity, it’s relative density is 0.9—0.92 and thus is the lightest plastic. It can burn like polyethylene after being ignited, with rather stinky smoke, which can be differentiated from polyethylene. The softening point of polypropylene, far higher than polyethylene of high density, can reach 170 celsius degree, it is of sound transparency and high tensile resistance and surface hardness.

Polypropylene is of low impact resistance under low temperature. Foodstuff containers made of such substance can crack easily if falling off during their being taken in or out of the refrigerator, moreover, it can not resist against ultraviolet radiation.

Polypropylene can be used to make shells of electric appliances, water bucket, foodstuff containers, pipes and tubes, filter cloth, fishnet and ropes etc.