History and Development of Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic fiber developed in the mid-20th century and rapidly gained popularity due to its low cost and durability. The first polyester fiber was developed in Britain in 1941 but mass production began in US in the 1950s. The name polyester comes from the fact that it is a polymer which is made up of repeating ester chemical unit. The largest producers of polyester fiber are the US, China, India, Japan and South Korea. Today it accounts for around 60% of the total man-made fiber production across the world.
Properties and Composition of Polyester Fiber
Polyester Fiber are derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is formed by a reaction between ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. A key advantage of polyester is that it is highly resistant to damage from light, water, mild acids, alkaline and solvents. It dries quickly, is colorfast and resists shrinking and stretching. While polyester is not breathable, fabric blends allow moisture to evaporate with circulation. It is lightweight, strong, quick drying and maintains its shape over time. However, polyester has poor thermal insulation and is generally not as comfortable against the skin as natural fibers.
Cost Effectiveness of Polyester Textiles
One of the major reasons for the widespread use of polyester is its low cost compared to other man-made and natural fibers. The raw materials used for polyester production are readily available from oil and gas refining process. Once the polymer is created the processing involved is also significantly cheaper than most other fibers. The cost of equipment and labor required for spinning, weaving and dying polyester is also lower. The strength and durability of polyester means garments last longer with few repairs, further improving the cost per use ratio. All these factors combined mean polyester textiles can be produced and sold at prices that are affordable for mass s.
Applications and Uses of Polyester
Given its cost effectiveness, easy maintenance and durability, polyester has found applications across varied industries like apparel, home furnishing, healthcare etc. In clothing, polyester is blended with cotton or used by itself for shirts, pants, active wear and outerwear since it wicks moisture from the skin. It is widely used for functional fabric like performance sportswear. Polyester bed sheets, curtains, upholstery fabric are commonly used for homes due to their wrinkle resistance. Other uses include conveyor belts, carpet fibers, container fabrics and medical textiles like surgical gowns. Recently, advent of technology like recycled polyester and biodegradable polyester has opened up new sustainable applications.
The global for polyester continues to grow steadily driven by increasing population, rising disposable incomes in developing countries and changing lifestyles. The clothing accounts for the largest share of polyester consumption. Polyester based fabrics are gaining traction for clothing items that require easy care, such as wrinkle resistance and colorfastness. The technical textiles segment are estimated to exhibit the fastest growth given rising use of polyester in performance sportswear, fiberfill and geotextiles. Advancements in innovations will further support new areas for polyester fiber. However, increasing focus on sustainability and use of eco-friendly fabrics may impact polyester to some degree in the long run. Overall, polyester is expected to retain its position as dominant man-made fiber going forward due to cost advantages and steady across diverse sectors.
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Resources
Types of Polyester Fibers: Properties and Applications
Recent development in Polyester Fiber Market
The Role of Polyester Fiber in the Global Textile Industry
Sustainability in Polyester Fiber Production: Challenges and Innovations
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