Fiber of chemical origin
Within the world of textile fibers there are two large groups, depending on their origin, formed by those considered natural or so-called synthetic or chemical, made from petroleum through chemical reactions carried out in laboratories!
Nylon or polyamide may be mentioned but, undoubtedly, due to its widespread use and worldwide production volume, polyester is the most important of these fibers of chemical origin, which is frequently mixed with other fibers to increase its possibilities of use. Just by saying that approximately 42 million tons of polyester are produced per year, mainly for the textile sector, for only 27 million tons of cotton, you can understand the importance of this material whose production is very prominent in countries like India and China.
So, I thought we need to know what is polyester made from. In this article I’ve tried to cover the topic with 5 advantages of polyester.
Polyester Ingredients
The main ingredient used in the manufacture of polyester is ethylene, derived from petroleum and the chemical process by which polyester acid is produced is called polymerization. The polyester achieved by chemical methods takes the form of solid chips, such as porcelain, which undergo a melting and extrusion process. To do this, they are introduced by a funnel towards a kind of heated cannon that melts it, until it leaves at the other end.
The liquid that has been achieved will be pressed in a spinning machine and when it solidifies again, continuous filaments will have been achieved. These filaments will pass again through a rotating tube, which will stretch them until they grow many more times in relation to their original size. The subsequent process of twisting that stretched filament will provide strength and elasticity.
Once this phase is over, the curling and cutting of the thread in specific lengths produces the basic polyester thread, which will be used to make different types of fabrics with this material, or they will be mixed with other fabrics such as cotton, in a percentage determined according to the desired final result.
The textile polyester has the advantages of being easy lightweight fabric washing and warm touch, or shrink or stretch, can easily be mixed with other fabrics such as nylon yarn or cotton. In addition, it is quite resistant to fungi, moths or mold and can be used to make a wide variety of garments. They also do not require ironing and can be dyed without difficulty.
5 advantages you probably didn't know
Despite the specificities of each of the polyester-based fabrics, the advantages that this material brings to each of its applications could be broadly mentioned:
1. Does not warp:
Neither stretches nor shrinks. It has a resilience that other natural fibers do not have, for example, it does not wrinkle. This is why Lafayette Sports Stretch technology textiles are mostly made of polyester and lycra.
2. It can be combined with other materials:
As rayon, cotton, wool, nylon or viscose, increasing the quality of the final product and allowing multiplicity of uses. That is why a company offers me a functional textile in which it takes advantage of the naturalness of cotton and combines it with the durability of polyester.
3. It is light:
This does not prevent it from being a very strong and durable material.
4. Absorbs less moisture:
This allows it to repel fungus, mold and bacteria. This not only increases its durability, but prevents the generation of bad odors, qualities that we have taken advantage of to create protect technology.
5. Better absorb the inks:
Polyester garments usually have brighter and more durable colors and prints. For this reason, the offer of textiles for shirts, blouses and dresses, is composed mostly of polyester.
Both natural fibers and synthetic fibers have different characteristics and advantages, the main difference is the technology with which textiles are created, always taking into account the final use they want to give them.