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,
Britain the manufacture of PET fiber began in
1948 by Imperial Chemical Industries Limited and the
fiber is marketed under the name Terylene.
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.
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 + Terephthlic acid
Polyester + H2O
 Polyester
Polyester fiber, specifically poly(ethylene terephthalate)
(PET), is the largest volume synthetic fiber produced
worldwide.
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, Co
 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 260 ◦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
Cool Casting Wheel
Polyester chips
 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/drafting 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, 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:
Cold and 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.
 Polyester
Behind glass this fiber shows good resistance against
sunlight even after prolonged exposure. This gives it
marked superiority over other fibers under these
conditions.
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, tire 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.