notes prepared by subhankar Karmakar
POLYESTER:
Polyester is a synthetic fibre in which the polymer units are linked by ester groups. Terylene is a popular polyester fibre. The chemical compounds used in making polyester fibres are made from petroleum products called petrochemicals. Both Nylon and polyester are thermoplastic polymers. Therefore, most of the properties of polyester fibres are similar to those of Nylon. There are some differences between nylon and polyester fibres.
Properties of polyester fibres:
1. Polyester fibre is stronger than nylon fibres.
2. Polyester fibres are also softer than nylon fibres.
3. Polyester fabric is strong, wrinkle resistant, easy to wash and dry, not attacked by moths and ordinary chemicals and has high abrasion resistance. These properties makes it suitable for making dress material.
4. Polyester can be blended with natural fibres like cotton or wool and known as polycot (terrycot) and polywool (terrywool) respectively.
Uses of polyester fibres:
1. The most important use of polyester is in making fabrics for sarees, dress materials and curtains.
2. Polyester is used for making sails of sailboats. Polyester sails are light, strong, do not stretch and and do not rot in contact with water.
3. Polyester is used for making water hoses for fire fighting operations.
4. Polyester is used for making conveyor belts.
PET:
PET is a very familiar form of polyester. PET is the abbreviation of the synthetic polymer called Poly Ethylene Terephthalate. PET can be made into a fibre or a plastic. When used as a fibre PET generally referred to as polyester, while the term PET is usually used for the plastic form.
Properties of PET:
1. PET as a plastic is very lightweight.
2. It is naturally colourless with high transparency.
3. PET is strong and impact resistant.
4. PET is shatterproof and hence it is used to make bottles, jars, and utensils.
5. PET bottles are used for fizzy drinks and PET jars are used for sugar, salt, rice etc.
6. It is also used to make thin films.
ACRYLIC:
Acrylic is a synthetic fibre. Acrylic fibre is made from a chemical called acrylonitrile by the process of polymerization.
Characteristics of acrylic:
1. Acrylic is lightweight, soft and warm with a wool-like feel.
2. Acrylic retains its shape, resists shrinkage and wrinkles.
3. It can be dyed very well.
4. Acrylic fibres are strong and durable.
5. Acrylic absorbs very little water so it has "quick-dry" quality.
6. Acrylic fibres are resistant to moths and most chemicals.
Uses of acrylic fibres:
1. Due to its wool-like feel, acrylic fibre is often used as a substitute for wool.
2. The wool obtained from natural sources like sheep is quite expensive. Acrylic offers a less expensive alternative to natural wool. So, the clothes made from acrylic are relatively cheaper but more durable than those made from natural wool.
3. Many of the sweaters which the the people wear in winter, and the shawls and blankets which people use, are actually not made from natural wool, though they appear to be made from wool. They are made from synthetic fibre called acrylic.
4. Acrylic fibre is used for making sweaters shawls blankets jackets sportswear, socks, furnishing fabrics, carpets and as lining for boots and gloves.
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