Essay On Polyester

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Manufacturing process of polyester.
Producing polyester in laboratory.
Polyester is an example of condensation polymerisation1. Condensation polymers are polymers that are formed by joining molecules together and they loose a small molecule such as water or methanol as a by-product1. A polyester is made by reacting an acid with two -COOH groups and an alcohol with two -OH groups1. In this particular case the acid is benzene-1,4- dicarboxylic acid also known as terephthalic acid and the alcohol used is ethane -1,2-diol also known as ethylene glycol1.

Now this acid and alcohol make continuous chains by lining up alternately1. This makes an ester linkage between each acid group and alcohol group1. As they are condensation polymers it loses a small molecule, in this case it is a molecule of water1. So for every ester linkage that is formed it loses a molecule of water1.

After this compound is formed, then comes the polymerisation stage1. In the polymerisation stage the compound that is produced is heated at a temperature of 260oC and at a low pressure1. A catalyst is required at this stage to speed up the reaction - there are many options for catalysts such as antimony (iii) oxide1. After this step the polyester is formed and half of the ethane1,2- diol is restored which is removed1.

This is the final polyester also known as the polyethylene terephthalate1.
Producing polyester for manufacturing purposes.
There is another method of producing polyester. This method is mainly used by manufacturers to produce polyester. The two basic form of polyester produced are filament yarn and staple fiber2. The filament yarn is a smooth surfaced fabric that are continuous in length and a staple fiber are just yarns cut into short lengths but...

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...ic may feel wet in hot weather3. Also it lacks appearance3.
Finishing process – They have similar finishing process to a yarn.
Manufactures – These are the top three manufactures of polyester worldwide3.

E.I.du Pont de Nemours Co.,Inc.

Hoescht Celanese

BASF

Biblography
1. "Polyesters - Terylene and PET." Polyesters - Terylene and PET. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2014. .
2. "How Products Are Made." How Polyester Is Made. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May 2014. .
3. "Manufacturing Polyester." Manufacturing Polyester. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014. .
4. "Polyester Revival Glossary." Polyester Revival Glossary. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014. .

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