Sonargoan University
Department of Textile Engineering
Assignment
On
Polyester
Course Name: Textile Raw Materials II
Couese Code : Tex 0221
Submitted by Submitted to
Name: Md.Abu Hasan Ahsan habib
I’d:Tex2101022028 Lecturer
Batch:22B Department of Textile
Department of Textile Engineering
Engineering Soanrgoan University
Sonargoan University
Polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) is derived from a chemical reaction involving
petroleum, air, and water. This artificial fiber is comprised of purified terephthalic acid (PTA)
and monotheluene glycol (MEG).
Polyester is a synthetic fiber derived from coal, air, water, and petroleum. Developed in a 20th-
century laboratory, polyester fibers are formed from a chemical reaction between an acid and
alcohol. In this reaction, two or more molecules combine to make a large molecule whose
structure repeats throughout its length. Polyester fibers can form very iong molecules that are
very stable and strong.
Polyester is used in the manufacture of many products, including clothing, home furnishings,
industrial fabrics, computer and recording tapes, and electrical insulation. Polyester has several
advantages over traditional fabrics such as cotton. It does not absorb moisture, but does absorb
oil; this quality makes polyester the perfect fabric for the application of water-, soil-, and fire-
resistant finishes. Its low absorbency also makes it naturally resistant to stains. Polyester
clothing can be preshrunk in the finishing process, and thereafter the fabric resists shrinking
and will not stretch out of shape. The fabric is easily dyeable, and not damaged by mildew.
Textured polyester fibers are an effective, nonallergenic insulator, so the material is used for
filling pillows, quilting, outerwear, and sleeping bags.
Manufacturing
Polyester is the most commonly used synthetic fibre. DuPont introduced its Dacron brand of
polyester in 1951, but the material itself was patented earlier in 1941.
It’s made by reacting dicarboxylic acid with a dihydric alcohol. This base material can be
used to make many things, from soda bottles to boats, as well as clothing fibres. Like nylon,
polyester is melt-spun – this process allows the fibres to be made in different shapes and sizes
for specific applications. Chemists can now alter the size and shape of polyester fibres to look
and feel more like natural fibres. Ultra-thin microfibers can give polyester a smoother, softer
feel than the polyester of twenty years ago.
Some characteristics of polyester
1. Polyester is very durable and is resistant to many chemicals
2. This is a popular fabric in the fashion industry, as it is resistant to shrining and
stretching. It is also resistant to wrinkling and abrasions
3. The fibres used to create Polyester are very strong yet lightweight
4. The fibres are easily dyed
5. It retains its shape very well
6. Polyester fabric is easy to look after and it can be washed and dried at home
7. It is a quick drying fabric, so a popular choice for outdoors clothing
History:
1926, United States-based E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. began research into
very large molecules and synthetic fibers. This early research, headed by W.H.
Carothers, centered on what became nylon, the first synthetic fiber. Soon after,
in the years 1939-41, British research chemists took interest in the du Pont
studies and conducted their own research in the laboratories of Calico Printers
Association, Ltd. This work resulted in the creation of the polyester fiber known
in England as Terylene.
In 1946, du Pont purchased the right to produce this polyester fiber in the
United States. The company conducted some further developmental work, and
in 1951, began to market the fiber under the name Dacron. During the ensuing
years, several companies became interested in polyester fibers and produced
their own versions of the product for different uses. Today, there are two
primary types of polyester, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PCDT (poly-
1, 4-cyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate). PET, the more popular type, is
applicable to a wider variety of uses. It is stronger than PCDT, though PCDT is
more elastic and resilient. PCDT is suited to the heavier consumer uses, such as
draperies and furniture coverings. PET can be used alone or blended with other
fabrics to make clothing that is wrinkle and stain resistant and retains its shape.
Polyester Properties
Polyester is hydrophobic. For this reason, polyester fabrics don’t absorb perspiration, or other
fluids, leaving the wearer with a moist, clammy feel. Polyester fibers typically have a low
level of wicking. Relative to cotton, polyester is stronger, with a greater ability to stretch.
Fiber strength can range from 2.5 grams/denier to 9.5 grams/denier.
To the average consumer, who is not a chemist, polyester is an extraordinary fiber with many
desirable properties. Polyester is strong, both dry and wet. It is considered to be easy-care
since it can be washed, dried quickly, and resists wrinkling. It holds up well in use because it
has high resistance to stretching, shrinking, most chemicals, abrasion, mildew, and moths.
As with all fibers, polyester has some properties that are not desirable. While resistant to
water-born stains, polyester is an oil scavenger. Due to its strength, polyester, particularly
when cut into short staple lengths, does form pills (becomes rough with little balls). Polyester
will burn with a strong odor and the molten residue can cause severe burns to the skin.
Because polyester has low absorbency, it can become uncomfortable in hot weather. This
problem has been addressed by making polyester fibers with multilobal cross sections (as
opposed to round ones). Since the multilobal fibers cannot pack together as tightly as round
ones, perspiration can be wicked (carried on the surface of the fibers) away from the body,
thereby improving the wearer's comfort.
POLYESTER FIBER PROPERTIES
Tensile Strength (Tenacity) Good to Excellent
Abrasion Resistance Good to Excellent
Absorbency Poor
Static Resistance Poor
Heat Resistance Fair to Good
Wrinkle Resistance Excellent
Resistance to Sunlight Good
Elasticity Fair to Good
Flame Resistance Burns Slowly
Resilience Excellent
Chemical properties
• Effect of alkalies
Polyester fibres have good resistance to weak alkalies high temperatures. It exhibits only
moderate resistance to strong alkalies at room temperature and is degraded at elevated
temperatures.
• Effect of acids
Weak acids, even at the boiling point, have no effect on polyester fibres unless the fibres are
exposed for several days. Polyester fibres have good resistance to strong acids at room
temperature. Prolonged exposure to boiling hydrochloric acid destroys the fibres, and 96%
sulfuric acid and causes disintegration of the fibres.
• Effect of solvents
Polyester fibres are generally resistant to organic solvents. Chemicals used in cleaning and
stain removal do not damage it, but hot m-cresol destroys the fibres, and certain mixtures of
phenol with trichloromethane dissolve polyester fibres. Oxidizing agents and bleachers do not
damage polyester fibres.
• Miscellaneous properties
Polyester fibres exhibit good resistance to sunlight, and it also resists abrasion very well.
Soaps, synthetic detergents, and other laundry aids do not damage it. One of the most serious
faults with polyester is its oleophilic quality. It absorbs oily materials easily and holds the oil
tenaciously.
Physical properties
• Moisture regains
The moisture regain of polyester is low, ranges between 0.2 to 0.8 per cent. Although
polyesters are non-absorbent, they do not have wicking ability. In wicking, moisture can be
carried on the surface of the fibre without absorption.
• Specific gravity
The specific gravity 1.38 or 1.22 depending on the type of polyester fibres is moderate.
Polyester fibres have a density greater than polyamide fibres and lower than rayon. Fabrics
made from polyester fibres are medium in weight.
• Heat effect
The melting point of polyester is close to that of polyamide, ranging from 250 to 300°C.
Polyester fibres shrink from flame and melt, leaving a hard black residue. The fabric burns
with a strong, pungent odour. Heat setting of polyester fibres, not only stabilizes size and
shape but also enhances wrinkle resistance of the fibres.
• Mechanical properties
A wide of polyester fibres properties is possible depending on the method of manufacture.
Generally, as the degree of stretch is increased, which yields higher crystallinity and greater
molecular orientation, so are the properties, e.g., tensile strength and initial Young’s modulus.
At the same time elongation normally decreases. An increase in molecular weight further
increases tensile strength, modulus, and extensibility.
Shrinkage of the fibres also varies with the mode of treatment. If relaxation of stress and
strain in the oriented fibre occurs, shrinkage decreases but the initial modulus may be also
reduced. Yarns maintained at a fixed length and constant tension during heat setting are less
affected with respect to changes in modulus, and reduced shrinkage values are still obtained.
Poly (ethylene terephthalate) shows nonlinear and time-dependent elastic behaviour. Creep
occurs under load with a subsequent delay in recovery on the removal of the load, but
compared to that of other melt-spun fibres, creep is small.
Uses of Polyester
▪ Fashion
▪ Sportswear
▪ Fleeces
▪ Coats and anoraks
▪ Bedding such as sheets, duvet covers and sleeping bags
▪ Footwear
▪ Fillings for duvets (due to its insulating properties)
▪ Sewing threads
▪ Soft furnishings and upholstery
▪ Textiles
▪ Luggage and other bags
Different Uses of Polyester
As mentioned earlier, the features of polyester make it very useful for different industries.
Find the uses of polyester fibre in points below.
Manufacturing Apparels
You can now easily determine that the prime use of polyester is in the fashion industry. If you
follow the properties of polyester, you will understand why it is widely used to manufacture
apparels. The lightweight and strong features of this fibre are used to make the clothing items
more durable and wrinkle-free.
Home Furnishing
You will find a plethora of items in the home furnishing segment where this fibre is used
exceptionally. From curtains to upholstery, this fibre is used for making colourful items. In
fact, you will also find blankets, carpets, bed sheets, pillowcases, covers, etc are also
manufactured using polyester. There are different other polyester examples such as home
accessories, furniture, automobile seat covers, etc.
Tyre Manufacturing
These days, tyres are not only manufactured using rubber. It is mixed or reinforced with
polyester to increase its strength to carry weight and resist abrasion. The tyres become lighter
and more efficient in distributing the load of the entire vehicle. The uniformity of the tyres
also makes the vehicle’s performance escalate in terms of fuel efficiency. This is one of the
two uses of polyester in the industries.
Conveyor Belts
You might have seen products being manufactured and carried to different locations in the
industry using conveyor belts. These belts run for hours at a stretch. Hence, you can
understand how strong these belts should be to carry their own weight and that of the
products in the line. This is why conveyor belts are made of polyester fabric for higher
strength and durability.
Safety Belts
One of the best polyester properties and uses can be found in safety belt manufacturing. The
belts are extremely strong and lightweight. These belts can be used in automobiles for safety
purposes.
Cushioning and Insulation
The fabric has insulating properties. It can be used for upholstery padding, cushioning, and
insulating gloves and mitts. Different types of polyesters are used for various insulating
purposes. It is also used as insulation tapes in different industries.
Bottles
Apart from fabric manufacturing, you will also find polyesters in making bottles. The PET
bottles we use to store and drink water are made of polyester.
Stain Resistance
Due to stain resistance, it is used in manufacturing sports gear, sportswear, upholstery,
covers, table cloths, etc. It can be easily cleaned and dried. It fits into the features of all these
products very well.
Manufacturing Sprays
Polyester can be micronized and converted into sprays. These sprays can deliver a high-gloss
finish for furniture, wooden surfaces, and can also protect open-grain timber surfaces.
The Future
Following its introduction to the United States in 1951, polyester quickly became the
country's fastest-growing fiber. Easy care of the permanent press fabric made polyester
doubleknits extremely popular in the late 1960s. However, polyester has suffered an "image
problem" since that time, and clothes made out of polyester were often devalued and even
ridiculed. Several new forms of polyester introduced in the early 1990s may help revitalize
the image of polyester. A new form of polyester fiber, called microfiber, was introduced to
the public in 1991. More luxurious and versatile than traditional polyester, microfiber fabrics
are difficult to tell apart from silk fabrics. Clothing designers such as Mary McFadden have
created a line of clothes using this new form of polyester. Textile researchers at North
Carolina State University are developing a form of polyester that may be as strong as Kevlar,
a superfiber material used to make bulletproof vests. This type of polyester may eventually be
used as composite materials for cars and airplanes.
