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 long molecules that are very stable and strong.
Whinfield and Dickson Patent the Basis of Polyester
Britishchemists John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson, employees of the Calico Printer's Association of Manchester, patented "polyethylene terephthalate" (also called PET or PETE) in 1941, after advancing the early research ofWallace Carothers.
Whinfield and Dickson saw that Carothers's research had not investigated the polyester formed from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. Polyethylene terephthalate is the basis of synthetic fibers such as polyester, dacron, and terylene. Whinfield and Dickson along with inventors W.K. Birtwhistle and C.G. Ritchie also created the first polyester fiber called Terylene in 1941 (first manufactured by Imperial Chemical Industries or ICI). The second polyester fiber was Dupont's Dacron.
Dupont
According toDupont, "In the late 1920s, DuPont was in direct competition with Britain’s recently formed Imperial Chemical Industries. DuPont and ICI agreed in October 1929 to share information about patents and research developments. In 1952, the companies’ alliance was dissolved... The polymer that became polyester has roots in the 1929 writings of Wallace Carothers. However, DuPont chose to concentrate on the more promising nylon research. When DuPont resumed its polyester research, ICI had patented Terylene polyester, to which DuPont purchased the U.S. rights in 1945 for further development. In 1950, a pilot plant at the Seaford, Delaware, facility produced Dacron [polyester] fiber with modified nylon technology."
Dupont's polyester research lead to a whole range of trademarked products, one example is Mylar (1952), an extraordinarily strong polyester (PET) film that grew out of the development of Dacron in the early 1950s.
Polyesters are made from chemical substances found mainly in petroleum and are manufactured in fibers, films, and plastics.
DuPont Teijin Films
According to Dupont Teijin Films, "Plain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyester is most commonly associated with a material from which cloth and high-performance clothing are produced (e.g., DuPont Dacron® polyester fiber). Increasingly over the last 10 years, PET has gained acceptance as a material of choice for beverage bottles. PETG, also known as glycolysis polyester, is used in the production of cards. Polyester film (PETF) is a semi-crystalline film used in many applications such as videotape,high-quality packaging, professional photographic printing, X-ray film, floppy disks, etc. "
DuPont Teijin Films (founded January 1, 2000) is a leading supplier of PET and PEN polyester films whose brand names include: Mylar ®, Melinex ®, and Teijin ® Tetoron ® PET polyester film, Teonex ® PEN polyester film, and Cronar ® polyester photographic base film.
Naming an invention actually involves developing at least two names. One name is the generic name. The other name is the brand name or trademark. For example, Mylar ® and Teijin ® are brand names; polyester film or polyethylene terephthalate are the generic or product names.
FAQs
Derived from non-renewable petrochemicals
Most polyester is made out of petroleum, a natural non-renewable resource. Right now, we're using up petroleum much faster than it can be produced in nature. Some predictions indicate we could reach peak oil (maximum extraction) by 2030.
What is polyester question answer? ›
Polyester is a generalised term for any fabric or textile, which is made using polyester yarns or fibres. It is a shortened name for a synthetic, man-made polymer, which, as a specific material, is most commonly referred to as a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Where does polyester come from for kids? ›
Polyester is a man made synthetic fibre derived from coal, air, water and petroleum. It is a plastic, and a carbon-intensive non-renewable resource, which was developed in the 20th Century. Polyester can also be produced using recycled plastic, agricultural crops and even waste.
What is polyester made up of? ›
Polyester is a man-made or synthetic fibre made up of repeating units of a chemical substance called esters. Esters are sweet smelling compounds, which are primarily made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Does polyester come from China? ›
Polyester fiber processing in China is relatively concentrated geographically in the southeastern coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Zhejiang province produces half of China's output of polyester fiber while Jiangsu province accounts for about a third.
Which countries produce polyester? ›
Taiwan, Korea, India, Japan, and Indonesia are also major manufacturers of polyester, and some polyester production still occurs in the United States.
What are 3 things made from polyester? ›
Uses and applications. Fabrics woven or knitted from polyester thread or yarn are used extensively in apparel and home furnishings, from shirts and pants to jackets and hats, bed sheets, blankets, upholstered furniture and computer mouse mats.
Is polyester safe? ›
Skin exposure to Polyester can cause rashes, itching, redness, eczema, dermatitis, blistering or make existing skin problems worse for those with sensitive skin, up to 3 days later. Heat releases Polyester chemicals like Antimony oxide Sb2O3, which is used to make Polyester and is a known carcinogen.
How is polyester made Grade 8? ›
Polyester (Poly+ester) is actually made up of the repeating units of a chemical called an ester. Esters are the chemicals which give fruits their smell. Fabrics are sold by names like polycot, polywool, terrycot, etc. As the name suggests, these are made by mixing two types of fibres.
Is 100% polyester safe for kids? ›
Polyester: Since polyester is not as breathable as other fabric choices such as cotton, while it is considered safe to use, the amount of the chemicals used in the production process can cause irritation even if your child doesn't have super sensitive skin.
Cotton is a natural material whilst polyester is synthetic. Polyester is stronger than cotton, due to its chemical makeup, with a greater ability to stretch. Polyester is hydrophobic and for this reason, fabrics made with polyester don't absorb perspiration.
Who invented polyester? ›
Polyester was invented in the mid-1930s by W.H. Carothers along with his team while working at DuPont. However, this work was not further developed until 1941 when it was expanded upon and patented by a group of British scientists who created the first polyester fiber.
Is polyester cheap? ›
Inexpensive & Affordable. Polyester consists of synthetic materials, so it's usually less expensive than natural fibres, making polyester a good choice for businesses looking for budget-friendly manufacturing options.
Is polyester a natural? ›
Polyester is considered a synthetic fiber because it is not found naturally. It is created through a chemical process that involves petroleum, a non-renewable resource. The resulting polyester fibers are then spun into yarn and woven or knitted into fabric.
Why did polyester replace cotton? ›
Polyester is more durable than cotton, making it a better choice if you're often on the go. It's also waterproof, stain-resistant, breathable, wrinkle-resistant, and flame retardant; however, since polyester isn't organic, it should not be worn in direct sunlight.
Where do the raw materials for polyester come from? ›
Conventional polyester is made from fossil fuel-based chemicals, the primary raw material of which is crude oil. The commercial production of conventional polyester requires ethylene and ethylene glycol, as well as para-xylene, which is used to produce terephthalic acid (TPA).
Who is the largest producer of polyester in the world? ›
Reliance Industries Limited
RIL, with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes annually, stands as the world's largest producer of polyester fiber and yarn, not only in India but across the globe.
Is polyester just plastic? ›
Polyester clothing is made from synthetic fibers that are derived from a type of polymer called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is a type of thermoplastic polyester. Therefore, polyester clothing can be considered a type of plastic.
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