Polyester
Polyester
History:
The discovery of polyester was made by Dr. J. T.
Dickson and Mr. J. R. Whinfield in 1941 in the
laboratories of Calico Printers Assosiation Ltd in
Lancashire England.
In Britain, the manufacture of PET fiber began in
1948 by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited and the
fiber is marketed under the name Terylene.
Polyester
In January 1955, a large plant came into production
with an annual capacity of 5 million kg divided
almost equally between filament yarn and staple
yarn.
In USA DuPont company began producing PET fiber
in 1950 under the name Dacron.
Polyester
The generic term polyester was adopted by the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission for fibers;
“A manufactured fiber in which the fiber forming
substance is any long chain synthetic polymer
composed of at least 85% by weight of an ester of
ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.
It is also called polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polyester
Polyester is a polymer which is made through
condensation reaction taking place between two
molecules and linkages of molecules occur through
the formation of ester groups
Made by interaction of a dibasic acid with dihydric
alcohol
Mono ethylene glycol + Terephthalic acid
Polyester + H2O
Polyester
Polyester fiber, specifically poly(ethylene
terephthalate) (PET), is the largest volume synthetic
fiber produced worldwide.
DuPont and Eastman are the two world largest
polyester producers
The reasons for the dominating success of PET fiber
are:
1. Low cost
2. Convenient process ability
3. Excellent performance
Polyester
Raw Material:
Ethylene glycol
Terephthalic Acid / Dimethyl terephthalate
Catalyst: Zn, Pb, Cd
Polyester
Manufacturing and processing of polyester:
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is industrially
produced by either terephthalic acid or Dimethyl
terephthalate with ethylene glycol.
The reaction between terephthalic acid and ethylene
glycol started at just above the melting point of
reactants in the presence of Nitrogen
Catalyst are used to accelerate the reaction
Polyester
• The ester exchange reaction is carried out under high
pressure
• Ester exchange reaction is carried out at 197-200 ◦C
• The resulting low molecular weight Ethylene glycol
terephthalate is heated at 280 ◦C for 30 minutes at
atmospheric pressure so that Polycondensation
reaction takes place
• The pressure is remove from time to time to remove
water/ methanol
Polyester
Polyester is obtained as high molecular weight
product
Its melting point is 256 ◦C
Spinning of filament yarn:
The polymer is extruded from autoclave onto water
cooled casting wheel in the form of thick ribbon
The polymer ribbons solidify on to casting wheel
The ribbons are cut into chips by dicing machine
the wet chips are dried in air operated rotary driers
Polyester chips
Cool Casting Wheel
Polyester
Polymer chips are discharged from hopper
reservoirs to spinneret
Polymer chips are melted at 260-270°C and a
delustering agent (TiO2), lubricating oil and anti-
static agent are added to form a syrup-like
solution.
The solution is put in a metal container called a
spinneret and forced through its tiny holes, which
are usually round, the emerging filaments are cool
down and solid filaments are obtained.
Polyester
• Undrawn filaments are drawn on electrically or
steam heated rollers
• The filaments are drawn at least to five times to their
original length
• This increases the strength of the filament
Polyester
Production of staple fibers:
Extrusion of filaments takes place from spinneret
The filaments are brought together to form a thick
tow
The tow is drawn to get high strength
The tow passes through crimping machine
The crimps are stabilized by passing tow through
heating ovens
the tow is cut into specified length
Polyester Tow
Polyester
Structure of Polyester fiber:
Polyester
Properties of Textile Fibers:
Tensile strength:
Tensile strength of medium tenacity polyester
filament is 80,000-100,000
High tenacity filament: 105,000-125000
Staple fibers filament: 60,000-70,000
Elongation:
High tenacity filaments have 8-11 percent
elongation. Regular tenacity filaments have 15-20
percent elongation. Staple fiber 25-40 %
Polyester
Elastic recovery:
At 2 % strecth 97 % recovery
At 4 % stretch 90 % recovery
At 8% stretch 80 % recovery
Shrinkage:
Polyester fabrics shrink 7- 10 % in boiling water
Heat set fabrics do not shrink
Ironing temperature:
135 degree centigrade. Sticking takes place > 205
degree centigrade
Polyester
Heat setting:
Fabrics of polyester are heat set at 160-220 degree
centigrade in hot air to stabilize dimensions
Specific Gravity
Polyester has specific gravity of 1.38
Effect of Moisture
Polyester is almost hydrophobic with moisture regain
of 0.4 % at standard conditions (65% humidity and
20ºC)
Polyester
• Solubility:
It can be dissolved in trifluoro acetic acid, o-chloro
phenol and in mixture of tetrachloroethylene
Action of Cleaning Agents:
there is no chemical action of soaps, detergents and
dry cleaning agents (carbon tetrachloride,
trichloroethylene)
Action of Acids:
Weak acids do not attack even at boiling
temperature. H2SO4 degrades at high temperature
Polyester
• Action of alkalis:
Resistance to weak alkalis is good
Affinity for dyes:
Polyester is usually dyed with disperse dyes in slight
acidic conditions at high temperature (130 degree
centigrade) and pressure (30 lb/sq inch)
Polyester
Thermal Properties
Softening point 220 ̊C
Melting temperature 260 ̊C
Effect of Sunlight
Polyester fiber has high resistance to degradation by
light. After prolonged exposure it suffers a gradual
loss in strength but does not discolor.
Polyester
Electrical Properties
Polyester having very low moisture regain so it
is a very good insulator.
Insects and micro-organisms
polyester is not a source of nourishment for
living creature and show excellent resistance
to insects, fungi and bacteria
Polyester
Uses:
Apparel
Every form of clothing.
• Home Furnishings
Carpets, curtains,sheets and pillowcases, wall
coverings, and upholstery.
Polyester
• Other Uses
Ropes and nets,
thread, tyre cord,
automotive
upholstery, sails.
Composites made of
100% polyester
fibers are widely
used as filtration
media.
Polyester
Fiberfill applications
In Fiberfill applications polyester fibers are
used inside seat cushions, back pillows and
mattresses.
