What is the difference( if any) among Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polymethylpentene Plastics?
(A) Polyethylene both LDPE or HDPE is essentially the least costly but most cloudy plastic. Thus softening or swelling of polyethylene can be caused by aggressive solvents. Futhrer polyethylene products cannot be autoclaved. As compared to polyethylene, polypropylene (PP) is more translucent and can also be autoclaved. In chemical resistance properties it is quite similar to polyethylene. Polypropylene cannot resist strong oxidizing reagents. Polypropylene products show a tendency to become brittle at 0°C. Polymethylpentene (PMP or TPX) in appearence is crystal-clear. Thus making it an effective alternative to glass. In displaying chemical resistance it is similar to polypropylene. However it has a tendency to get softened from hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. It is quite adaptable to repeated autoclaving, even at tempeartures of 150°C. Polymethylpentene labware is brittle at room temperature and can develop cracks on being dropped from the lab bench.
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