The difference between polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) in application

Polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) are two common polymers used to make plastic consumables. Polypropylene and polystyrene are similar in many applications, but there are some inherent differences between them that make them more suitable for specific applications.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene, also known as PP, is a thermoplastic polymer. PP plastics are commonly used to make plastic lab supplies such as beakers, bottles, flasks, specimen containers, test tubes, etc. Polypropylene is very tough, tough, bendable, and resistant to a wide range of chemicals, acids, and bases. It also has a high heat resistance. Depending on the grade, polypropylene has a melting point of 130°C (266°F) and a maximum of 171°C (340°F). Due to such a high heat resistance, many polypropylene products are autoclavable. In contrast to polystyrene products that can be discarded after only one use, polypropylene can be used over and over again without having to be replaced. Therefore, polypropylene products can be considered as cost-effective alternatives to their glass counterparts. However, glass is still preferred and necessary in many applications. The durability, high chemical resistance and high level of temperature resistance of polypropylene products make them very versatile in many laboratory and industrial applications.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene, also known as PS, is a polymer made from the monomer styrene, which is a liquid hydrocarbon made from petroleum. At room temperature, polystyrene is usually a solid thermoplastic, but can be melted at higher temperatures for extrusion and then solidified. Styrene is an aromatic monomer and polystyrene is an aromatic polymer. Polystyrene is a hard and rigid material used to make toys, kitchen utensils, disposable drinking cups, packaging materials, computer housing parts, etc. It is a highly used plastic throughout the world because it is usually priced lower than many other plastics. Polystyrene is environmentally friendly because it can be recycled. Although polystyrene has some resistance to acids and bases, it is not as resistant to certain chemicals as polypropylene. Polystyrene products are usually consumed in large quantities because they cannot withstand high temperatures above 100°C and can only be disposed of after a single use. Polystyrene is very suitable for general sample storage and transportation, and is often used in laboratory supplies such as test tubes, microplates, and culture dishes because it is transparent like glass.