What are the differences between polypropylene colored filament and polypropylene long filament?

Definition aspect

Polypropylene filament: Polypropylene filament refers to a continuous long fiber made from polypropylene as raw material through the spinning process. Its length is usually very long and has not undergone treatments such as cutting. The thickness and other specifications of the fibers can be adjusted according to production requirements. For instance, when manufacturing polypropylene filament geotextiles, the filaments can reach a length of several hundred meters or even several thousand meters, which is used to enhance the overall performance of the geotextiles.

Polypropylene colored filament: Polypropylene colored filament is polypropylene fiber with color. Its color is endowed through methods such as adding color masterbatches during the spinning process, with a strong emphasis on the color attributes of the fibers. It can be in the form of long filaments or short filaments. For instance, when making colored polypropylene carpets, the polypropylene colored filaments used are mostly short filaments, while when making colored polypropylene curtains, long polypropylene colored filaments might be used.

Appearance aspect

Polypropylene filament: Generally white or semi-transparent (if no pigments are added, etc.), with a relatively pure and uniform appearance. The surface of the filament is smooth and lustrous, and the fibers are relatively close to each other. Under the light, a continuous filamentous structure can be seen.

Polypropylene colored filament: It has a rich variety of colors, which can be bright solid colors or a mixture of multiple colors. Due to the addition of color masterbatches, its appearance color is uniform and stable. Moreover, according to different uses and aesthetic requirements, there are a wide variety of colors. For instance, in the clothing industry, various fashionable colors of polypropylene colored filament fabrics can be produced.

In terms of production technology

Similarities: The basic raw material of both is polypropylene, and there are similarities in the initial spinning steps, both needing to go through basic processes such as melting and extrusion.

Difference:

Polypropylene filament: The main focus is on the optimization of the fiber's length and physical properties. After spinning, operations such as stretching and setting are mainly carried out to ensure that the physical indicators such as strength and toughness of the filament meet the requirements. For instance, in order to enhance the strength of polypropylene filament, a higher stretching ratio is adopted for stretching treatment.

Polypropylene colored filament: The key step of adding color masterbatch is required during the production process. The amount of color masterbatch added and the degree of mixing need to be precisely controlled to ensure the accuracy and uniformity of the color. Moreover, in the subsequent processing, it is also necessary to consider factors such as whether the color will change under different processing environments (such as high-temperature setting, etc.).

In terms of performance

Physical properties:

Polypropylene filament: It has good strength and toughness. Due to its continuous long-fiber structure, it can distribute stress relatively evenly when subjected to force. For example, when used in rope manufacturing, the continuity of the filament enables the rope to withstand greater tensile force. Its length characteristics also enable it to have an advantage in some materials that require long fiber reinforcement, such as geotextiles.

Polypropylene colored filament: If it is in the form of long filament, its physical properties are similar to those of polypropylene long filament. However, if it is in the form of short filament, its physical properties such as strength may be slightly weaker. However, the color of polypropylene colored filaments can provide visual identification and other functions in certain application scenarios. For instance, in industrial filtration, polypropylene colored filaments of different colors can represent different filtration precisions.

Chemical properties:

Polypropylene filament and polypropylene colored filament: Their chemical properties are basically the same because their main component is polypropylene. All of them have good chemical corrosion resistance and can tolerate common acids, alkalis and other chemical substances to a certain extent. However, under the influence of high temperatures and some strong oxidizing chemical reagents, both will be affected to a certain extent.

In terms of application

Polypropylene filament

It is widely used in the industrial field, such as in the manufacture of geotextiles and building waterproofing membranes, taking advantage of its high strength and wear resistance to enhance the overall performance of the materials. In the textile field, filaments can be used to manufacture high-end clothing fabrics, such as some lightweight sportswear windbreakers, which can provide excellent windproof and breathable performance.

Polypropylene colored filament

It is mainly used in occasions where there are requirements for color. In the textile industry, it is used to produce various colored clothing and home textile products, such as colored sportswear and bedding, to meet consumers' demands for colors. In the production of handicrafts, the colored properties of polypropylene colored filaments can be used to weave colorful handicrafts, such as tapestries and dolls. Meanwhile, it is also applied in some fields such as industrial filtration that require visual identification.

Ningbo Dazhong Chemical Fiber Industry Co., Ltd. has been engaged in the long-term production and operation of: polypropylene filament, polypropylene filament, polypropylene FDY filament, polyester staple fiber, polypropylene fully drawn filament, polypropylene POY filament, and polyester POY filament.

Ningbo Dazhong Chemical Fiber Industry Co., Ltd. has an annual production capacity of 15,000 tons of polypropylene filament, polypropylene POY filament, polypropylene common strength filament and polypropylene FDY filament in various colors ranging from 68 to 1800D, and 120,000 tons of melt direct-spun polyester staple fiber annually. The products include 1.2D to 15D silicon-containing, silicon-free and down imitation staple fiber products. The annual output of melt direct-spun polyester POY filament is 100,000 tons.