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| PET Recyclable logo (EarthOdyssey, 2000.) |
Polyester is not only found in the material of certain types of clothing, but also has many applications as well.
Here are a few examples of where the properties of polyester can be applied into everyday uses.
Recyclability
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| PET has become one of the most heavily recycled polymers worldwide. (Allen, 2000.) |
- PET, which is an abbreviation for Polyethylene terephthalate is recyclable. By knowing this, in 1999, plastic bottles have been developed from polyester and more than 17 million were recycled during the course of the year.
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| Plastic bottles made from PET compacted to be recycled. (2009.) |
- The process happens by re-melting the PET and extruding its natural fiber, which can then be remade into bottles again; or many other things too. This process is called a bottle to bottle production.
- More companies became interested in this new concept of bottling and manufacturing further expanded; the product became cheaper as it was more accessible to consumers in society.
Comfort & Flexibility
Fiberfill and Resistance to Abrasion
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| (Ricketson, 2007.) |
- Also, when blended with other natural fibers such as wool, silk, linen or cotton, it gives it a more comfortable feel which can be applied to make clothing. It is even used to make curtains, draperies and bed sheets too.
Fiberfill and Resistance to Abrasion
- Another one of its useful physical properties allows air to be trapped inside the polyester, creating a synthetic fiberfill insulation.
Above are Canada Goose jackets designed with fiberfill insulation.
(2011.)
- Fiberfill insulation means a lightweight synthetic fiber used in clothing.
- For example, once air is trapped inside the fibers of the polyester, it is then warmed by the heat of the wearer’s body.
- The clothing industry has taken advantage of this property and developed recreational wear especially designed for harsh climates for climbers, backpackers, etc.
Low Absorbency
- Knowing that polyester has a low absorbency rate, it is used to design diapers. The outer surface consists of a thin layer of polyethylene film which is waterproof and does an excellent job in keeping the baby dry and comfortable to move around in.
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| Polyester has a low absorbency allowing it to be used to create umbrellas. (arieneforeveryoung, 2009.) |
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| Polyester is also highly resistant to abrasion and can be used to make sails. (cherryjess, 2008.) |
- By exploring the properties of polyester, the possibilites of it's uses are endless.
*The information used to publish this page was brought to you by Finley in 2010 and Dowe in 2005.
