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Application of Polyester in Technical Textile Sector: An Overview SAYANK NANDI Department of Textile Technology, Government College of Engineering and Textile Technology, Serampore
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ntroduction The mid-20th and early 21st century has witnessed a surge of synthetic fibres in the textile industry. As per a study the synthetic market is expected to increase at 5.3% CAGR from 2017 to 2025 [1]. Lion’s share of the synthetic market is dominated by Polyester. Demand for cheap, affordable and fashionable clothes with fast changing fashion has contributed to the growth of this fibre. From sustainability point of view the fibre is not very sustainable, it consumes 125 MJ of energy per kg, also emitting 27.2 kg of CO2 per kg for production [2,3]; hence recyclable polyester is currently preferred. In spite of several sustainability concerns, the characteristics and features of this crude oil based fibre, makes it an important fibre for technical sector besides clothing sector. Applications in Technical Sector Polyester is among the very few fibres that has applications in all 12 classes of technical textiles. The different applications of polyester in the technical textile sector are mentioned.
es, insect meshes, mulch mats, and fruit covers [4]. Its superior UV resistance, physical characteristics than polypropylene [5]; better weather resistance, lighter weight, UV resistance compared to polyamides, makes it a very useful fibre in agrotextile. Meditech Properties like high modulus, good creep, fair resistance to acids and alkali, good chemical resistance, hydrophobicity and biocompatibility to a certain extent makes it a fibre to be used in the medical field. It can be used both as an implantable, as well as nonimplantable material. As implantable material, different polyester structures can be used as artificial tendon, artificial ligaments, even as extracorporeal devices like artificial kidney, etc. However for such applications protein fibres are more preferred; since it is more biocompatible and the property of polyester degrades with time. Hence it is not good for long time implantable application [6]. As non-implantable material, it can be used as bandages, since it has good resistance to micro-
Agrotech In agrotextiles, polyester is among the most used synthetic fibre after polypropylene and polyamides. It is used as sunscreen, greenhous-
organisms. It is also used for production of baby and adult diapers. Due to its hydrophobic nature nonwoven made from polyester can hold liquid also its good
FEBRUARY 2021
dimensional stability contributing in maintaining its shape, and good wicking property it can easily transfer liquid evenly [7]. Mobitech Polyester is one of the predominant fibres used for the Mobitech applications. Properties like UV resistance, good strength properties, good compression recovery, good heat resistance and low inflammability makes it a very useful fibre for Mobitech applications. It can be used in seat covers, carpets and seat belts [8] even its composites and its nonwovens are used for mobitech applications [9]. Packtech Packaging is one of the most important applications of technical textile. Characteristics like excellent dimensional stability, UV resistance, good chemical resistance, weather resistance, hydrophobicity, proper tensile and initial modulus, can be used to manufacture non wovens, makes polyester a commonly used fibre for this application. It can be used for any kind of packing applications, PET water bottles are still used, and Tea bags are commonly
made from non-woven polyesters (Polypropylene is preferred for this application since it is inert in room temperature), even various companies uses Polyester for
