The ABS vs. PP debate is of high interest to plastic item manufacturers and designers. Although ABS and PP are two materials with entirely different properties and compositions, both are used in making plastic parts. Although the manufacturing of plastic products requires a large number of raw materials, ABS and PP are both considered to be among the best options. They are the foremost choice for leading plastic manufacturers in the market.

This blog explains the properties, differences, and applications of both materials. It will help the plastic manufacturer to decide which material to use for which process and when.

What is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Plastic?

ABS plastic was first developed in 1948 in the United States. The Borg Warner Corporation introduced it into the market in 1954.

ABS, i.e., Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is a thermoplastic. It is an impact-resistant engineering thermoplastic. ABS is both opaque and amorphous. Being amorphous means that after a specific temperature, it assumes the form of a liquid. However, when the temperature returns to normal, it becomes solid again. ABS plastics are primarily used in the plastic molding process.

A combination of three monomers makes this polymer. Those three monomers are as follows:

Acrylonitrile

Acrylonitrile is a synthetic monomer made from propylene and ammonia. It gives ABS plastic heat-resistant properties and chemical resistance.

Butadiene

Butadiene is the monomer that makes ABS stronger. It is a by-product of steam crackers and ethylene production.

Styrene

The dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene led to the manufacturing of styrene monomers. Styrene is the result of this, and it gives ABS material its rigidity and processability.

Manufacturing Process of ABS

ABS has two manufacturing processes.

First Process

The first process is based on a chemical combination of polybutadiene and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN). Chains of both polymers combine to form the complex molecular structure of ABS plastic.Ziegler Natta Polymerization

Second Process

The second process of making ABS plastic is known as the emulsion process. The first step is the making of polybutadiene, which is a watery latex. The second step is the addition of styrene and acrylonitrile.

A copolymerization that takes place under controlled circumstances involving styrene, acrylonitrile, and polybutadiene leads to the formation of abs plastic.

What is PP(Polypropylene) Plastic?

Polypropylene, or PP, is a polyolefin. A polyolefin is a polymer derived from a small set of olefins. Polypropylene is slightly more complicated than polyethylene. It has exceptionally high heat resistance. However, it has low density. PP is a common material because it is a commodity plastic. Many plastic [parts of daily use are made of polypropylene.

Manufacturing of Polypropylene

The manufacturing process of polypropylene consists of two different methods：

Ziegler Natta Polymerization

This is a popular method that manufactures PP from a monomer such as ethylene or propylene. The process adopts its names from Karl Zeigler and Giulio Natta who were both Noble Prize Winners for Chemistry in 1963. This process includes a catalyst system consisting of two components:

• Transition metal compounds

• Organometallic co-catalysts

The catalysts execute the polymerization process at low temperature and pressure under controlled conditions. This leads to the manufacturing of high molecular weight chemicals such as PP. These polymers have stereoregular structures.

Metallocene Catalysis Polymerization

The various forms and states of polypropylene depend upon the method used to manufacture it. It may be:

• soft or hard

• lightweight or heavyweight

• Act as an insulator or conductor.

What is the difference between ABS and PP?

ABS Vs. PP: Properties

ABS and PP have distinct properties. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right material. The following table clearly classifies the differences between the two plastics in terms of their properties. Plastic manufacturers can use this chart to help them determine the best use of these two materials for manufacturing purposes.

The following table shows different elongation values at break, tensile strength, and heat resistance for both ABS and PP. This is because both materials have different values or properties for the three distinct processes:

• Injection molding

• CNC machining and

• 3D printing

The table also mentions other differences in the properties of both materials, such as density and impact resistance.

ABS Vs. PP: Pros and Cons

Both ABS and PP have advantages and weaknesses. In this section, we analyze each material’s weaknesses.

ABS Pros

Good Electrical insulation:

ABS offers good electrical insulation. Insulation comes from the material’s dialectical properties. Because of this insulation property, ABS plastic is used for protective electrical insulation purposes.

Suitable for Injection Molding:

ABS is the most suitable material for injection molding applications. Being inexpensive, many plastic manufacturers prefer ABS for various injection molding processes. It is highly compatible with various molding processes.

Solubility:

ABS plastic is not resistant to acetones. When it comes in contact with them, it dissolves. This solubility is a significant advantage for various plastic manufacturers. They use acetone for finishing purposes. Whenever there is a deformity in the design of an object, it is corrected using acetone.

Best for Automotive Prototyping:

“You may wonder why ABS is so popular in automotive prototyping.”

ABS plastics are widely used in the automotive prototyping and aerospace industries because of their good mechanical properties. They are also highly compatible with moving parts, which is an added advantage. Another factor that makes them suitable for this purpose is that they are ductile and malleable. Once shaped, they can be deformed and changed into any other desirable shape and form.

Perfume Bottle Manufacturing:

ABS’s glossy surface and ease of machining make it ideal for high-end perfume bottle cap manufacturing, providing a fine appearance and a good seal.

ABS Cons

Low Contraction Upon Heating:

A unique property of ABS plastics that is also a significant disadvantage is that they do not contract upon heating. The more you heat them, the less they expand. They contract, and you get little of what is left to work with.

Bad Odor:

Upon heating, ABS plastics release an extremely bad odor. This foul smell makes it difficult to work with ABS plastics when heated. Therefore, it is advisable for plastic manufacturers working with ABS plastics to arrange proper ventilation. This is also important because these plastics are flammable.

Hard to Maintain the Heat:

ABS plastics have a relatively low melting point. Once melted, you need to maintain the heat to keep them in the molten form. Therefore, to feed them into the injection molding machine, you need to maintain high heat. Without adequate heat, there might be structural issues in the material.

Caution in Perfume Bottle Cap Designs:

ABS may deform in high temperature environments and therefore needs to be used with caution in perfume bottle cap designs that require high temperature resistance.”

PP Pros

Flexible:

PP offers a high degree of flexural strength. It means that it is extremely flexible. Because of flexibility, it is easy to modify. Increased flexibility reduces the chances of waste production. Therefore, high flexibility and minimum waste are good advantages of using PP.

Increased Chemical Resistance:

As mentioned before, PP is resistant to a wide range of acids, oxidizing agents, etc. This makes PP a perfect material for storage containers. These containers are used for both domestic and commercial purposes. They are used for food, PP-made, and medicinal purposes in hospitals, and they are very strong and durable ducks. This is the reason why several household items are made using PP. They are also part of manufacturing. It offers the automotive industry the forming of parts. They also provide a high degree of water resistance and wear resistance.

“According to Plastics Industry Journal 2023 report, PP use in cosmetic packaging is growing 12% annually, mainly due to its cost advantages and chemical stability.”

Low Density:

As described before, PP has extremely low density. Its low density makes it so lightweight that it can even float on water. This makes items made from PP both lightweight and hard. Gone are the days when the quality of materials was associated with their weight. Materials like PP have changed the concept. Now, lightweight objects can also be durable and of good quality.

Perfume Bottle Cap Interiors:

PP’s high chemical resistance and lightweight properties make it ideally suited for use in perfume bottle cap interiors and spray nozzles, especially in scenarios where frequent opening and closing is required.

Cons

Low Melting point:

A low melting point is a major disadvantage for PP products. No matter how hard or good-quality a product is, when it is exposed to heat, it deforms or melts. The melting point is so low that you can even melt it in a microwave oven.

Shrinkage:

Just like ABS plastic, PP contracts when exposed to heat. A slight reduction in the heat can cause crystallization, which leads to structural and mechanical issues. Maintaining a constant heat flow is important. Therefore, thermal contraction is a major disadvantage for PP plastic parts.

UV Degradation:

PP plastic is not resistant to UV rays. Therefore, extensive exposure to sunlight can lead to degradation.

Poor Adhesion:

Another major disadvantage of PP plastic is its poor adhesion. It shows poor bonding with concrete matrices. If you want it to show good adhesive properties, you need to use expensive adhesives, which increases the cost of production.

Less Outdoor Use for Perfume Bottle Caps:

PP’s UV degradation issues may affect the durability of perfume bottle caps for long-term outdoor use.

ABS Vs. PP: Applications

ABS	PP
● Aerospace applications ● Consumer electronics ● Household goods ● Housing ● Construction ● Toys ● Medical and Surgical Instruments	● Automotive batteries ● Semiconductor components ● Laboratory settings’ ● Chemical tanks ● Automotive parts such as hinges, gears etc.

Use of ABS and Polypropylene in Perfume Bottle Manufacturing

Both abs and pp have an essential role in perfume bottle manufacturing. But How?

Perfume bottle manufacturing is not just about glass perfume bottles. It involves manufacturing several other things, such as perfume caps and dispensers. This is where ABS and polypropylene are used.

In this section, we shall understand the role of ABS and polypropylene individually in perfume bottle manufacturing. This will enhance our understanding of the ABS vs. polypropylene debate.

ABS in Perfume Bottle Manufacturing

“Global ABS Bottle Caps Market is Expected to Reach $520 Million by 2025, with High-End Perfume Brands Contributing 70% of Demand (Source: Market Research Future).”

If you want to give your perfume bottles a glossy or metallic finish, ABS is the perfect choice. It is used in metallic coatings. The ABS has a nonreactive surface finish keeping to glass; it is nonreactive to fragrances or most fragrances. This keeps the perfume ingredients intact.

PP in Perfume Bottle Manufacturing

• PP has high chemical resistance and flexibility. These two characteristics make it an excellent material for the inner part of perfume bottle caps and spray nozzles.

• To cut production costs, manufacturers are always on the hunt for materials that are durable and cost-effective. PP is one such packaging material that offers durable and cost-effective packaging solutions.

• Again, PP is resistant to moisture. This keeps the integrity of the perfume intact, and with time, it maintains its quality and intensity.

Incremental Cost Analysis of ABS and PP

The incremental cost analysis between ABS and PP is important for business owners and manufacturers confused between choosing one among the two. You need to consider several performance and economic factors. The raw material cost of ABS is comparatively higher than PP. The reason is that ABS is superior in strength, has high resistance and gives aesthetic finish.

In applications such as automotive prototypes and consumer electronics ABS is therefore a preferred choice.

PP is on the other hand more cost effective. It is lightweight and offers excellent chemical resistance. Therefore for applications such as household , packaging and medical items it is a more cost effective option.

The initial cost of ABS is higher than PP but it also offers long term use and durability. The choice between the two depends upon the performance application.

Conclusion

Now that you know in detail about both ABS and PP, both materials have strengths and weaknesses. One is flexible, and the other is hard. Both have different values regarding chemical resistance, tensile strength, and melting point. The choice between ABS and PP depends upon the application you want them to use.

For example, PP is a better choice if you are manufacturing food storage containers. However, if you are looking for a raw material for toys or protective insulation, ABS is a better choice. It is also a preferred choice by perfume bottle manufacturers as a raw material for perfume bottle caps. The reason is, again, its non-reactivity with chemicals and oxidizing agents.