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Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet) : History

Two chemists developed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 1941. PET is produced by polymerizing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. The presence of benzene rings adds stiffness and strength to the PET polymer. PET is commonly processed by injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding to produce items like plastic bottles, films, sheets, and containers. PET has properties including strength, stiffness, barrier to gases and moisture, heat resistance, and recyclability, leading to wide uses for plastic bottles, tapes, textiles, electronics, and more.

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199 views

Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet) : History

Two chemists developed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 1941. PET is produced by polymerizing ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. The presence of benzene rings adds stiffness and strength to the PET polymer. PET is commonly processed by injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding to produce items like plastic bottles, films, sheets, and containers. PET has properties including strength, stiffness, barrier to gases and moisture, heat resistance, and recyclability, leading to wide uses for plastic bottles, tapes, textiles, electronics, and more.

Uploaded by

Maleha Salim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET)

HISTORY:
Two chemists named Rex Whinfield and James Dickson, working at a small English company
with the quaint name of the "Calico Printer's Association" in Manchester, developed
"polyethylene terephthalate" (PET or PETE) in 1941. It would be used for synthetic fibers in the
postwar era, with names such as "polyester," "Dacron," and "Terylene."

PRODUCTION:
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is basically produced by polymerization of ethylene glycol and
terephthalic acid. Ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid are regarded as building blocks for PET
resin. Further, these resins are heated to a molten liquid which can be easily molded into items
of any shape. The presence of large benzene rings in the process of adds stiffness and strength
to PET polymer, especially when polymer chains align with each other.
To be more specific, when the two raw materials of PET- ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid
are combined with low vacuum pressure and high temperatures long chains of the polymer are
formed. As mixture thickens, longer chains are formed and the process is stopped when the
appropriate chain is achieved. Further, when PET polymer is held in starched form at different
temperatures it starts to crystallize and become opaque and more rigid. This crystallized form
of PET is used to prepare further products such as containers and trays which can also be
reheated.
REACTION:

Processing Conditions for PET Resin


PET can be easily processed by injection molding, extrusion, blow molding and thermoforming.
PET is generally extruded to produce films and sheets (can be thermoformed after) and blow
molding is generally used to produce transparent bottles.
It is highly recommended to dry Polyethylene terephthalate for 2-4 hours at 120°C before
processing. Up to 25% regrind can be used.
Blow Molding: Blow molding is generally used to produce transparent bottles
Mold temperature should lie between 10 and 50°C.
Injection Molding:

 Melt temperature: 280-310°C


 Mold temperature: 140-160°C to obtain a crystalline PET (for technical applications)
 For transparent applications, mold temperature should lie between 10 and 50°C
 Screw with an L/D ratio of 18-22 is recommended
Extrusion:

 PET is generally extruded to produce films and sheets (can be thermoformed after)
 Extrusion temperature: 270-290°C

PROPERTIES OF PET RESIN:


 It has higher strength and stiffness than PBT
 It is very strong and lightweight & hence easy and efficient to transport
 It is known for its good gas (oxygen, carbon dioxide) and moisture barrier properties
 It exhibits excellent electrical insulating properties
 PET has broad range of use temperature, from -60 to 130°C
 As compared to PBT, it also has higher heat distortion temperature (HDT)
 It has low gas permeability, in particularly with carbon dioxide
 PET is suitable for transparent applications, when quenching during processing
 PET doesn’t not break or fracture. It is practically shatter-resistant and hence, a suitable
glass-replacement in some applications
 It is recyclable and transparent to microwave radiation
 PET is approved as safe for contact with foods and beverages by the FDA, Health
Canada, EFSA & other health agencies
Chemical Properties

 Excellent resistance to alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, oils, greases and diluted acids
 Moderate resistance to diluted alkalis, aromatic & halogenated hydrocarbons

APPLICATIONS:
Because Polyethylene Terephthalate is an excellent water and moisture barrier material, plastic
bottles made from PET are widely used for mineral water and carbonated soft drinks
Its high mechanical strength, makes Polyethylene Terephthalate films ideal for use in tape
applications
PET monofilament is mainly used for making mesh fabrics for screen-printing, filter for oil and
sand filtration, bracing wires for agricultural applications (greenhouses etc.), woven/knitting
belt, filter cloth, and other such industrial applications.
PET has wide applications in textile industry. Polyester fabrics are strong, flexible, and offer
additional benefit of less wrinkles and shrinkage over cotton. Polyester fabrics are light-weight,
reduced-wind, drag-resistant and more resistant to tears.
Thanks to good electrical insulating properties, high structural and dimensional stability,
polyethylene terephthalate is widely used in electrical and electronics industry. It is an effective
polymer to replace die casts metals and thermosets in applications like: electrical
encapsulation, solenoids, smart meters, photovoltaic parts, solar junction boxes, etc. Polymer’s
outstanding flow characteristics enable design freedom and miniaturization to produce high-
performance parts.

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