PP-R IM
Grade
IM = impact-modified PP-R (elastomer-toughened) for cold-climate / drainage…
Choose the elastomer-toughened compound for sub-0 °C impact in drainage and cold-climate piping, accepting slightly lower stiffness and heat resistance; 22 MPa tensile with 700% elongation.
Values for the IM condition
Other PP-R grades and fills
PP-R is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at PP-R.
Compare all 6 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IMThis page Impact-modified PP-R (elastomer-toughened) for cold-climate / drainage… | Choose the elastomer-toughened compound for sub-0 °C impact in drainage and cold-climate piping, accepting slightly lower stiffness and heat resistance; 22 MPa tensile with 700% elongation. | 21 | 22 | 700 | 58 Shore D |
Mineral (talc / CaCO₃) filled PP-R | Use talc or CaCO₃ filled stock as a low-cost stiffening middle layer or non-pressure part; modulus rises to 1.7 GPa while impact toughness and long-term hydrostatic performance fall. | — | 24 | 40 | — |
Injection-moulding grade PP-R for fittings | Pick for injection moulding of complex fittings, where MFR is raised to 0.5–1.5 for easier cavity filling while mechanics stay essentially those of the pipe compound (25 MPa, 500%). | 24 | 25 | 500 | 65 Shore D |
As built (as printed) | Choose when biofilm growth on the pipe wall must be suppressed: an inorganic biocide masterbatch in the inner layer leaves strength unchanged at 25 MPa, with 70 °C maximum service. | 24 | 25 | 550 | 66 Shore D |
Random copolymer, crystallinity/temperature modified | Pick the β-nucleated version when higher long-term hydrostatic strength (MRS 11.2) is needed to run hotter or higher-pressure water at the same wall, or to thin the wall; rated to 80 °C. | — | 28 | 500 | — |
PP-R/GF ≈20% | Specify the ~20% short-glass-fibre compound as the middle layer of three-layer stabilized pipe to cut thermal expansion and creep and raise modulus to 3.2 GPa; not for potable-water contact layers. | — | 45 | 5 | — |
What is PP-R IM?
PP-R IM is PP-R in the IM grade — choose the elastomer-toughened compound for sub-0 °C impact in drainage and cold-climate piping, accepting slightly lower stiffness and heat resistance; 22 MPa tensile with 700% elongation. PP-R IM has a yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) — weaker than 79% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi). PP-R IM has a density of 0.91 g/cm³ (0.0327 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -12°C (10 °F).
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 700%, better than 96% of polymer grades
- Low embodied carbon — 2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 96% of polymer grades
- Low moisture uptake — 0.02%, better than 92% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Lightweight — 0.91 g/cm³ (0.0327 lb/in³), better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Low strength — 21 MPa (3.05 ksi), worse than 79% of polymer grades
PP-R IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PP-R IM; 26 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PP-R reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PP-R IM has a density of 0.91 g/cm³ (0.0327 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is -12°C (10 °F).
Mechanical15
PP-R IM has a yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) — weaker than 79% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 700% and the elastic modulus is 0.7 GPa (0.102 Msi).
Thermal11
PP-R IM is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.22 W/m·K (0.127 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 60% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 150 µm/m·K (83.3 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PP-R IM is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 27 kV/mm (685.8 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 74% of polymer grades. UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PP-R IM takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PP-R IM's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PP-R IM
Is PP-R easy to machine?
Turns, mills and drills with sharp, high-rake tooling at high speed and low feed with air cooling, which prevents melting, smearing and stress cracking. Machinability rates around 62.
Can PP-R be welded?
Socket fusion, butt fusion and electrofusion all work very well with a 260 °C heating tool, giving joints close to parent-material strength; the material cannot be solvent cemented, and adhesives are ineffective.
Can PP-R be formed, bent or molded?
Extruded into pipe at 195–230 °C and injection moulded into fittings at 210–240 °C melt with 20–60 °C tools. Shrinkage is high at 1.2–2.2 %, so cooling and hold pressure must be matched to wall thickness.
What surface finishes work on PP-R?
Surface energy is low (about 30 mN/m), so corona or flame treatment is required before printing or painting. It cannot be plated; parts are normally coloured with masterbatch and used as moulded.
PP-R chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ethylenerandomly distributed; sets low-temperature toughness and melt point | 1.5 – 8 | 4 |
| antioxidant / heat & process stabilizer hindered phenol + phosphite system | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| pigment / nucleating agentgreen/grey masterbatch; PP-RCT uses beta nucleating agent | 0 – 2 | 0.5 |
| propylenebackbone monomer unit | ≥ 92 (balance) | — |
PP-R IM — frequently asked
What is PP-R IM used for?
PP-R IM is typically used for hot and cold water pipes, underfloor heating pipe, chemical process piping, pipe fittings and fusion-weldable pressure pipe systems. In short: standard fusion-welded pipe resin; 70 °C hot-water service; tougher than PP-H.
What is the yield strength of PP-R IM?
PP-R IM has a typical yield strength of 21 MPa (3.05 ksi) and a tensile strength of 22 MPa (3.19 ksi) — weaker than 79% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is PP-R IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 55% of polymer grades). Turns, mills and drills with sharp, high-rake tooling at high speed and low feed with air cooling, which prevents melting, smearing and stress cracking. Machinability rates around 62.
Can PP-R IM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Socket fusion, butt fusion and electrofusion all work very well with a 260 °C heating tool, giving joints close to parent-material strength; the material cannot be solvent cemented, and adhesives are ineffective.
What surface finishes work on PP-R IM?
Surface energy is low (about 30 mN/m), so corona or flame treatment is required before printing or painting. It cannot be plated; parts are normally coloured with masterbatch and used as moulded.
Can PP-R IM be formed, bent or molded?
Extruded into pipe at 195–230 °C and injection moulded into fittings at 210–240 °C melt with 20–60 °C tools. Shrinkage is high at 1.2–2.2 %, so cooling and hold pressure must be matched to wall thickness.
What is the maximum service temperature of PP-R IM?
PP-R IM is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 95°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- DIN 8077 / DIN 8078 Polypropylene (PP) pipes — dimensions and general quality requirements — DIN (2018)
- ASTM F2389 Standard Specification for Pressure-rated Polypropylene (PP) Piping Systems — ASTM International (2021)
- ISO 1873-1 Plastics — Polypropylene (PP) moulding and extrusion materials — ISO (2016)
- ISO 15874 Plastics piping systems for hot and cold water installations — Polypropylene (PP) — ISO (2013)
- PP-R / PP-RCT pipe resin technical datasheets — Borealis / LyondellBasell / (2023)
- CAMPUS polypropylene random copolymer datasets — CWFG / CAMPUS consortium (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.2: Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.