polyester
Sign in to savethumb|Ester group (blue) which defines polyesters. This diagram shows just one ester linkage per repeat unit. Polyester is a category of polymers that contain one or two ester linkages in every repeat unit of their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include some naturally occurring chemicals, such as those found in plants and insects. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not. Synthetic polyesters are used extensively in clothing.
AI overview
Polyester is a type of plastic made from long chains of molecules linked together by chemical bonds called esters, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being the most common form. It matters because synthetic polyesters are widely used in clothing and other products, though most don't break down naturally in the environment, unlike some naturally occurring polyesters.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
28 sectionsContents
- Types
- Natural
- Synthetic
- Aliphatic ''vs.'' aromatic polymers
- Uses and applications
- Production
- Polyester processing
- Synthesis
- Alcoholic transesterification
- Acylation
- Silyl method
- Acetate method (esterification)
- Ring-opening polymerization
- Other methods
- Thermodynamics of polycondensation reactions
- History
- Environmental impact
- Biodegradation
- Cross-linking
- Pollution of freshwater and seawater habitats
- Carbon footprint
- Safety
- Fertility
- Recycling
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|Ester group (blue) which defines polyesters. This diagram shows just one ester linkage per repeat unit. Polyester is a category of polymers that contain one or two ester linkages in every repeat unit of their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include some naturally occurring chemicals, such as those found in plants and insects. Natural polyesters and a few synthetic ones are biodegradable, but most synthetic polyesters are not. Synthetic polyesters are used extensively in clothing.
Polyester fibers are sometimes spun together with natural fibers to produce a cloth with blended properties. Cotton-polyester blends can be strong, wrinkle- and tear-resistant, and reduce shrinking. Synthetic fibers using polyester have high water, wind, and environmental resistance compared to plant-derived fibers. They are less fire-resistant and can melt when ignited.