How many types of polyester

It is also resistant to mildew, most chemicals and abrasion. However, it is not a flawless fabric. The major downsides of this fabric are that it is not easy to clean and it is not a breathable fabric. There are several major types of polyester fabric s used. Ethylene terephthalate, or PET, is the most popular type of polyester used for fabrics. This is the same material as the one used for making disposable water and soft drink bottles.

To make PET polyster, ethylene glycol is mixed with either terephthalic acid or methyl ester along with an antimony catalyst. An antimony catalyst is a substance, produced primarily in China, that causes the chemical reaction to occur that forms the polyester fabric. If the material is used as a fabric, it has to have a high molecular weight so this reaction needs to occur at high temperature in a vacuum. The major advantage of this material is that it can be recycled. This can save considerable time in the production process.

PCDT polyester uses a chemical combination called poly-1, 4-cyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate. This type of polyester fabric is not as popular as PET, but is used nevertheless as a type of polyester because it offers the fabric greater resilience and elasticity. PCDT polyester is ideal for heavier textiles such a curtains and furniture coverings. To create PCDT polyester, acid is mixed with a combination of several chemicals, including poly-1, and 4-cyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate.

In the filament form, each individual strand of polyester fiber is continuous in length, producing smooth-surfaced fabrics. In staple form, filaments are cut to short, predetermined lengths. In this form polyester is easier to blend with other fibers. Tow is a form in which continuous filaments are drawn loosely together.

Fiberfill is the voluminous form used in the manufacture of quilts, pillows, and outerwear. The two forms used most frequently are filament and staple. In making polyester staple fiber, polymerization, drying, and melt spinning steps above are much the same as in the manufacture of filament yarn. However, in the melt spinning process, the spinneret has many more holes when the product is staple fiber.

The rope-like bundles of polyester that emerge are called tow. Following its introduction to the United States in , polyester quickly became the country's fastest-growing fiber. Easy care of the permanent press fabric made polyester doubleknits extremely popular in the late s. 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 s may help revitalize the image of polyester. A new form of polyester fiber, called microfiber, was introduced to the public in 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. Corbman, Bernard P. Textiles: Fiber to Fabric. Gregg Division, McGraw-Hill, , pp. Encyclopedia of Textiles. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Polyester: Fifty Years of Achievement. Fellingham, Christine. Templeton, Fleur. Thomas, Marita.

The four basic forms are filament, staple, tow, and fiberfill. In the filament form, each individual strand of polyester fiber is continuous in length, producing smooth-surfaced fabrics. In staple form, filaments are cut to short, predetermined lengths.

In this form polyester is easy to blend with other fibers. Tow is a form in which continuous filaments are drawn loosely together. Fiberfill is the voluminous form used in the manufacture of quilts, pillows, and outerwear.