Polymethylpentene

Last updated
Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene)
Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene).svg
Names
IUPAC name
Poly[1-(2-methylpropyl)ethylene]
Other names
Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene); PMP
Identifiers
ChemSpider
  • none
Properties
(C6H12)n
Molar mass Variable
Density 0.833 g/mL
Melting point 240 °C (464 °F; 513 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Yes check.svgY  verify  (what is  Yes check.svgYX mark.svgN ?)

Polymethylpentene (PMP), also known as poly(4-methyl-1-pentene). It is used for gas-permeable packaging, autoclavable medical and laboratory equipment, microwave components, and cookware. It is commonly called TPX, which is a trademark of Mitsui Chemicals. [1]

Contents

Production

Polymethylpentene is a 4-methyl-1-pentene-derived linear isotactic polyolefin and is made by Ziegler–Natta type catalysis. The commercially available grades are usually copolymers. It can be extruded and moulded (by injection moulding or blow moulding).

Physical properties

Polymethylpentene melts at ≈ 235 °C. It has a relatively low density (0.84 g/cm3) among plastics and is transparent. It has low moisture absorption, and exceptional acoustical and electrical properties.[ citation needed ] Its properties are reasonably similar to those of other polyolefins, although it is more brittle and more gas permeable. The polymer also has a high thermal stability, excellent dielectric characteristics and a high chemical resistance. [2] The crystalline phase has a lower density than the amorphous phase. [2]

Optical properties

In comparison to other materials being used for operating in THz range, TPX shows excellent optical properties with a wavelength independent refractive index of 1.460±0.005 between visible light and 100~GHz.[ citation needed ] While having a very good transmission in the THz area, TPX also shows a very wide transmission range spreading from UV to THz. [3]

Applications

References

  1. ↑ Whiteley, Kenneth S.; Heggs, T. Geoffrey; Koch, Hartmut; Mawer, Ralph L.; Immel, Wolfgang (2000). "Polyolefins". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry . Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a21_487. ISBN   978-3-527-30673-2.
  2. 1 2 Lopez, L. C., Wilkes, G. L., Stricklen, P. M., White, S. A. (1992). "Synthesis, Structure and Properties of Poly(4-Methyl-1-pentene)". Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part C. 32 (3–4): 301–406. doi:10.1080/15321799208021429.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ↑ "TPX optics: Sinoptix | Optical components". 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
  4. ↑ "Polymethylpentene (TPX)". Archived from the original on 2013-05-04. Retrieved 2013-04-09.
  5. ↑ "End-Use Case Study". RTP Company. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ "TPX® Polymethylpentene Specifications". ComPlex Plastics. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ "What plastics can be microwaved?". United States Plastic Corporation. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.