Emergence of Polyester Fiber
Polyester fiber emerged in the mid-20th century as a cheaper alternative to natural fibers like wool and cotton. First commercialized by DuPont in the 1940s under the trademark name 'Dacron', polyester fiber saw widespread use after the 1950s. Lower manufacturing costs and greater durability compared to natural fibers led to rapid adoption of polyester in clothing, home furnishing, and industrial applications. By the late 1960s, annual polyester production surpassed that of cotton fiber.
Properties of Polyester Fiber
Polyester Fiber is made from purified terephthalic acid and either ethylene glycol or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The molecules are polymerized to form long chains that crystallize into a strong yet flexible solid material.
The key properties that make polyester useful for various applications include:
- High tensile strength and resistance to abrasion - Polyester strands have great strength and withstand wear and tear well.
- Resistance to stretching and shrinking - Polyester retains its shape and does not "pill" like cotton or wool.
- Moisture resistance - Polyester is hydrophobic and dries quickly from sweat or moisture without retaining odors.
- Crease resistance - Polyester maintains a crisp appearance and does not form permanent creases easily.
- Low moisture absorption - Polyester absorbs less than 5% of its weight in water. This makes it quick drying.
- Long enduring colors - Dyed polyester retains vivid colors even after multiple washes better than natural fibers.
- Low cost - Economies of scale in mass production make polyester significantly cheaper than other man-made and natural fibers.
- Recyclability - Polyester can be recycled and reprocessed as fiber or resins with little loss of material qualities.
Key Applications of Polyester
1. Apparel: The durability, easy care properties, and affordability of polyester have made it the dominant material in work and sports clothing worldwide. It is also used in dress shirts, slacks, and swimsuits.
2. Home Furnishings: Polyester yarns are widely used in curtains, upholstery, pillows, blankets, and mattress covers for qualities like wrinkle and stain resistance. Carpet fibers are often a polyester blend for strength and long life.
3. Filtration: Nonwoven polyester fabrics are made into filters for air, water, industrial gases based on properties like high surface area, chemical resistance, and ability to withstand heat and pressure. Examples include furnace and smokestack filters.
4. Tire Cords: High tenacity polyester yarns are used to reinforce vehicle tire casings for their exceptional strength, abrasion resistance and consistent performance over varied temperatures.
5. Artificial turf: Durable polyester pile yarns simulate grass for sports surfaces worldwide. Their resilience enables repeated use without the cost and maintenance of natural grass. Synthetic surfaces are especially suitable for heavily used areas and inclement weather regions.
6. Industrial fabrics: Polyester woven and non-woven fabrics are made into conveyor belts, tire cords, protective clothing, harness webbing for work sites based on their toughness, heat and chemical resistance. Some have special additives like anti-static.
7. Rope and Twine: High strength polyester fibers like Dacron are frequently braided or twisted into rope, twine and string. Their resistance to UV exposure makes them suitable for outdoor applications like mooring, rigging and landscaping.
In the polyester's outstanding strength, durability, affordability and ease of processing have enabled it to displace other fibers in huge volumes across diverse industries. Advances in polymer chemistry are expanding its scope even to performance fabrics and technical textiles. Recyclability further enhances polyester's credentials as a sustainable material.
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