Description
Technical Specifications
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Material | 100% Virgin PP (Polypropylene) Homopolymer — zero recycled content |
| Thickness | 3mm, 5mm, 10mm (standard). 2-6mm for vacuum forming. |
| Tolerance | ±0.2mm — 5-point measurement verified per sheet |
| Sheet Sizes | 1220×2440mm / 1500×3000mm |
| Density | 0.91-0.93 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) |
| Tensile Strength | 28-32 MPa (ISO 527) |
| Flexural Strength | 35-40 MPa (ISO 178) |
| Impact Strength (Notched Izod, 23°C) | 3-5 KJ/m² (ISO 180) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (0.45 MPa) | 90-100°C (ISO 75) |
| Vicat Softening Point | 140-150°C (ISO 306) |
| Working Temperature | -40°C to 90°C |
| Water Absorption (24h) | < 0.01% (ISO 62) |
| Surface Resistivity | ≥ 1014 Ω (IEC 60093) |
| Flammability | HB (UL 94). V0 flame retardant grade: FR PP sheet |
| Colors | White, Beige, Grey |
| Surface Finish | Smooth (Ra ≤0.8μm), Matte |
Weight & Handling
| Thickness | Weight (1220×2440mm) | Handling | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm | 8.0 kg | One person, hand-carry | Fume hood lining, chemical cabinet interiors |
| 4mm | 10.7 kg | One person, hand-carry | Duct panels, tank covers, splash guards |
| 5mm | 13.4 kg | One person, hand-carry | Structural duct panels, equipment enclosures |
| 6mm | 16.0 kg | One person | Heavy linings, walk-in duct panels |
| 8mm | 21.4 kg | One person | Small tank walls, structural enclosures |
| 10mm | 26.7 kg | One person | Medium tank components, chemical storage |
Manufacturing & Quality Control
Every Xicheng PP sheet is extruded at our Shenzhen facility from 100% virgin PP homopolymer resin — no recycled or regrind material. Quality control is performed at three stages per ISO 9001:2015 procedures:
- Incoming resin inspection: Melt flow index (MFI) verification per ISO 1133. Resin lots outside specified MFI range are rejected before extrusion.
- In-process monitoring: Continuous thickness gauging during extrusion. Operator checks at 15-minute intervals.
- Final inspection: 5-point thickness measurement (center + 4 corners), diagonal dimension check, visual surface inspection, and batch mechanical property verification using tensile testing machine and Izod impact tester.
In-house testing equipment: universal tensile testing machine (GB/T 1040), Izod impact tester (ISO 180), digital thickness gauge (0.01mm resolution), surface roughness tester. Certificates of analysis available on request.
Why Thin-Gauge PP Sheet?
Thin PP sheet (3-10mm) is the workhorse material for non-structural corrosion-resistant fabrication. At these thicknesses, a single fabricator handles the entire workflow — carry, cut, bend, weld — without mechanical lifting equipment. A 1220×2440mm sheet of 5mm PP weighs just 13.4 kg. This single-person handling capability directly reduces fabrication labor cost compared to medium or thick sheet that requires two-person teams or lifting equipment.
Thin PP cuts on a standard circular saw with a carbide-tipped fine-tooth blade. Sheets up to 4mm can be scored and snapped by hand. Heat-bending at 160-170°C on a standard strip heater takes 1-2 minutes for 3mm sheet, 5-8 minutes for 6mm. And at 2-6mm, PP vacuum-forms at 160-180°C into complex 3D shapes that thick sheet simply cannot produce: laboratory sink bowls, chemical-resistant trays, custom equipment housings. This formability opens up applications that flat-panel fabrication cannot address.
Engineering note: Thin PP sheet is designed for linings, covers, splash guards, thermoformed parts, and non-structural enclosures. It is not intended for self-supporting tank walls or structural members where hydrostatic pressure or bending loads are the primary design case. For structural applications, use thick PP sheet 10-25mm. For the full thickness range including medium gauges, see our main PP polypropylene sheet page.
Key Advantages
- Single-Person Handling: Sheets up to 6mm weigh under 16 kg. One fabricator handles cutting, positioning, welding, and assembly without assistance — labor cost reduction versus medium and thick gauges.
- Fast Thermoforming: 2-6mm PP vacuum-forms at 160-180°C with short cycle times (5-10 min heating per mm). Produces complex 3D parts impossible from flat sheet — lab sinks, chemical trays, custom enclosures.
- Easy Heat-Bending: Standard strip heater at 160-170°C. No industrial oven required. Simple jig-based bending for multi-angle parts.
- Score-and-Snap Cutting: Sheets ≤4mm can be scored with a utility knife and snapped cleanly along the score line. No power tools needed for simple rectangular cuts.
- Single-Source System: Thin PP sheet integrates with PP ventilation ducts and PP chemical tanks for complete installations.
Applications with Real-World Reference
- Fume Hood & Duct Lining: 3-4mm white PP is the standard interior lining for chemical fume hoods and PP ventilation duct internal surfaces. White maximizes visibility inside enclosed hood spaces. See installation reference: Foxconn Vietnam factory case study.
- Chemical Splash Guards: 2-3mm PP formed into splash guards, drip trays, and secondary containment pans around process equipment and chemical transfer stations.
- Thermoformed Components: 3-6mm vacuum-formed into laboratory sink bowls, chemical-resistant trays, and custom housings — complex geometry parts that flat panel fabrication cannot produce.
- Equipment Covers: 4-6mm fabricated into removable equipment covers and machinery enclosures. PP’s electrical insulation (≥1014 Ω) provides safety around live electrical equipment.
- Laboratory Furniture: 5-10mm used for chemical storage cabinet bodies, reagent shelving, and bench-top surfaces in educational and industrial laboratories.
PP Sheet vs PVC Sheet
| Property | Thin PP Sheet | Thin PVC Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.91-0.93 g/cm³ | 1.38-1.45 g/cm³ |
| Sheet Weight (5mm, 1220×2440) | 13.4 kg | 20.5 kg |
| Max Service Temp | 90°C | 60°C |
| Thermoforming | Excellent — 160-180°C, short cycles | Poor — narrow forming window |
| Acid Resistance | Excellent — includes HF | Good — limited with oxidizing acids |
| Cost | Mid-range | Lower |
Ordering, Warranty & Delivery
- MOQ: 1 m² for standard thicknesses and colors. No upper limit.
- Lead Time: 15-25 working days for standard products. Custom specifications confirmed at quotation.
- Payment: T/T (30% deposit, 70% before shipment). L/C accepted.
- Shipping: FOB Shenzhen. Sea freight, air freight, or land transport. Wood pallet packaging with moisture barrier.
- Warranty: 1 year against manufacturing defects. Lifetime technical support. 24-hour response to technical inquiries.
- Samples: Available for standard thicknesses and colors.
Company: XICHENG EP (CN) LTD | Address: 7th Floor, Building A3, No. 04, Fourth Industrial Zone, Hewan Community, Matian Street, Guangming District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China | Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, CE, RoHS
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness of thin PP sheet do I need for fume hood lining?
3-4mm white PP is standard for chemical fume hood interior lining. 4mm provides a stiffer panel with less deflection across larger unsupported spans. For duct interior lining, 3mm is typically sufficient since the duct structure provides support.
Can thin PP sheet be thermoformed into complex shapes?
Yes — 2-6mm PP vacuum-forms well at 160-180°C. Thin gauges (2-3mm) achieve the shortest cycle times and deepest draw ratios. Allow 5-10 minutes heating per mm of thickness. For production thermoforming, we recommend trial runs to establish optimal cycle parameters for your specific mold geometry.
Does thin PP sheet have the same chemical resistance as thick PP?
Yes. Chemical resistance is determined by the material (PP homopolymer), not the thickness. A 3mm and a 30mm sheet have identical chemical resistance to acids, alkalis, and solvents. The thickness difference affects only mechanical properties — stiffness, impact resistance, and load-bearing capacity.
