Propylene is an attractive alternative to propane for heating and cutting due to its superior combustion performance. It is also widely used as a fuel gas for high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) processes. In addition, the chemical and plastics industries rely on propylene as a fuel gas.
Non-fuel applications include organic synthesis to produce materials such as acetone. Propylene can be polymerised to form polypropylene plastic. It can also be employed as a refrigerant, or in calibration mixtures and as a chemical intermediate. In addition, it is used for efficiency testing of gas burners and engines.