Polyester Fiber: Properties and Applications
📌 I. Introduction to Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic polymer fiber, most commonly
referring to polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is one
of the most widely used synthetic fibers in the world due
to its versatility, durability, and affordability.
First introduced in the 1940s, polyester has revolutionized
the textile industry, often blended with cotton, wool, or
viscose to enhance fabric performance.
🧬 II. Structure and Production
🔹 Chemical Structure
Polyester is a thermoplastic polymer, formed by the
condensation reaction of:
o Terephthalic acid (PTA)
o Ethylene glycol (EG)
Chemical Formula:
–[–O–CH₂–CH₂–O–C(=O)–C₆H₄–C(=O)–]ₙ–
This repeating ester group structure gives polyester its
high strength and thermal resistance.
🔹 Manufacturing Process (Melt Spinning)
1. Polymerization – Formation of PET through
esterification or transesterification
2. Melt spinning – Molten PET is extruded through
spinnerets to form filaments
3. Drawing/stretching – Orients polymer chains,
improving strength and modulus
4. Texturing – Imparts bulk and elasticity to filament
yarns
🔍 III. Properties of Polyester Fiber
🔹 A. Physical Properties
Property Description
Smooth, cylindrical filament with circular
Appearance
cross-section (may vary with spinneret)
High strength (4–7 g/den), improves when
Tenacity
drawn
Elongation 15–30% (good extensibility)
Density ~1.38 g/cm³ (lighter than cotton)
Moisture Low (~0.4% at 65% RH) – leads to fast
Regain drying but less comfort
Thermal Softens at 250–260°C, melts around
Behavior 260°C
🔹 B. Mechanical and Chemical Properties
Property Description
Abrasion
Excellent; very durable
Resistance
Elastic Recovery Good; resists wrinkling
Moderate (can degrade under prolonged
UV Resistance
sunlight exposure)
Chemical Excellent against acids, oxidizers, and
Resistance mildew; degraded by strong alkalis
Burns slowly, melts and shrinks away
Flammability
from flame, may drip molten polymer
🧪 IV. Identification of Polyester Fiber
Test Result
Smooth surface, uniform diameter, circular
Microscopy
cross-section
Melts and shrinks, burns with sweet
Burning Test
chemical odor, hard black bead residue
Solubility Soluble in hot meta-cresol or phenol;
Test resistant to most common solvents
🧵 V. Applications of Polyester Fibers
Due to its versatility and durability, polyester is used
across a wide range of sectors:
A. Apparel and Fashion
Shirts, trousers, blouses, dresses
Athletic wear & outdoor gear (because of low
moisture absorbency and high strength)
Uniforms & workwear – wrinkle resistance and
durability
Lingerie & innerwear – often blended with spandex
or nylon for stretch
🔁 Often blended with:
Cotton (to improve durability and reduce wrinkles)
Viscose (to improve drape)
Spandex (for elasticity)
🏠 B. Home Textiles
Bed sheets, curtains, pillow covers
Upholstery fabrics – durable and colorfast
Carpets and rugs – strong and resistant to abrasion
Tablecloths and covers – wrinkle and stain resistant
🏭 C. Industrial Applications
Geo-textiles – used in soil stabilization, erosion
control
Conveyor belts, ropes, hoses – due to tensile
strength
Filtration fabrics – for dust collection and fluid
filtering
Safety gear – flame-retardant finishes used in
specialized textiles
🎒 D. Technical Textiles
Nonwoven fabrics – for wipes, insulation,
interlinings
Coated fabrics – for tents, awnings, tarpaulins
Medical textiles – disposable gowns, face masks,
wound dressings (nonwoven PET)
3D printed fabrics – using PET filaments in fashion
technology
📦 E. Packaging Industry
PET bottles, containers, films – though not textile
applications, they're produced from the same polymer
Used in vacuum packaging and thermal sealing
films
F. Recycled Polyester (rPET)
Made from used PET bottles
Widely used in sustainable fashion
Offers same performance as virgin polyester with
lower carbon footprint
Example: Nike, Adidas, and H&M use rPET in clothing
lines.
🌿 VI. Pros and Cons of Polyester Fiber
Pros Cons
High strength and Low moisture absorbency (can
durability feel less breathable)
Wrinkle and shrink
Prone to static buildup
resistant
Easy care (machine
May retain odors
washable, quick-dry)
Non-biodegradable (unless
Cost-effective
recycled)
Blends well with other
Can pill over time
fibers
✅ Conclusion
Polyester fiber is a versatile, high-performance
synthetic fiber widely used across apparel, home
furnishings, industrial, and technical textiles. Its
strength, wrinkle resistance, and cost-effectiveness make
it a go-to fiber for manufacturers, while advances in
recycling (rPET) are enhancing its sustainability
profile.
