Final answer:
Polypropylene is a versatile thermoplastic polymer widely used in various industries, while Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is another durable polymer used in clothing and containers. Both have medical applications, with polypropylene mesh being particularly useful for tissue repair.
Step-by-step explanation:
Polypropylene (PP), also known as polypropene, is a thermoplastic polymer widely used in various applications, including packaging, textiles, automotive components, and medical devices. Its production involves chain-growth polymerization from the monomer propylene. Developed in the early 1950s, polypropylene has become one of the most versatile and heavily produced polymers in the world.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is another widely used thermoplastic polymer in the polyester family, known for its use in fibers for clothing, liquid containers, and engineering resins. PET is produced through a reaction involving ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid, resulting in a polymer that's durable and resistant to moisture.
Polypropylene mesh, such as Prolene and Marlex, are used in medical applications, including the repair or replacement of tissue. This is due to their biological inertness, flexibility, and suitability for implantation. The advance in plastics, including polymer-matrix composites where reinforcing fibers are embedded in a polymer matrix, has greatly expanded the capabilities of medical materials and devices.