Polyester Research Paper

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Polyester The History of Polyester * An American chemist named Dr. Wallace Hume Carothers first discovered polyester. It consists of synthetic polymers that are linked together by ester groups. Ethylene glycol, Terephthalic acid and Polyethylene terephthalate In his later experiments with super-polymers, Carothers discovered that carboxyl acids and alcohol could be combined to make fibers and this later led to his discovery of Nylon, at which point his interests shifted from polymers to Nylon. It was left to British scientists named David Dickson and John Whitfield to eventually patent Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) in 1940. The two scientists went on to collaborate with Birtwistle and Ritchie to produce Terylene, the first…show more content…
Essentially, Polyester is a synthetic, man-made fiber that is created from the acids and alcohols that are present in petroleum. Polyesters can be made using a three-stage process: 1- Condensation Polymerization: Condensation polymers are those that are created through some form of condensation reaction. A reaction between the alcohol and acid components takes place at high temperatures to create a larger molecule. The resulting polymerized material is output onto a cooling wheel or casting trough and, once hardened, the ribbon is cut into chips. 2- Spinning: Once the chips have completely dried, they are melted in large hopper reservoirs. Polyester is essentially a metal-spun fiber that is created by forcing the melted polymerized material through a device that contains very small holes. The substances immediately cool upon hitting the air and are passed forward around reels to be…show more content…
Dyeing the fibers. Polyester is naturally a transparent shade of white. Manufacturers add dyes to refine the color of the final fibers. 5. Crimping. The fiber that emerges following the drawing-out process is smooth. Manufacturers may crimp the fibers to alter their properties. For example, crimping may be used to enhance the elasticity of the fibers or to increase the extent to which they offer insulation. The Advantages of Polyester Shortly after its introduction to the market, polyester rapidly increased in popularity, and this can be attributed to its many benefits. Some of these are as follows : • It is very simple to manufacture, and this entails that it is readily produced and inexpensive. • It is very adaptable. Changing the properties of the fibers during the manufacturing process can produce polyesters of various characteristics; e.g., stronger, more durable, lighter, etc. • It is strong and durable. Polyester is water resistant to a certain degree and retains its stability in a range of different conditions. • It is convenient. Materials that are made of polyester are much easier to take care of than natural fibers. In addition, they can be worn by people who are allergic to natural fibers, are fully recyclable, and are not conducive to the bacterial

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