PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)

PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

GENERAL
Common name - poly(ethylene terephthalate)
IUPAC name - poly(ethylene terephthalate)
ACS name - poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyloxycarbonyl-1,4-phenylenecarbonyl)
Acronym - PET
CAS number - 25038-59-9
Linear formula
O O
OCH2CHOC C
n

HISTORY
Person to discover - Whinfield, R J and Dickson, T J Whinfield, R J and Dickson, T J,
US Patent 2,465,319, DuPont, Mar.
22, 1949.
Date - 1949
Details - first patented by DuPont

SYNTHESIS
Monomer(s) structure - O O
HO C C OH HOCH2CH2OH

Monomer(s) CAS number(s) - 100-21-0; 107-21-1

Monomer(s) molecular weight(s) dalton, g/ 166.13; 62.07
mol, amu
Monomer ratio - 2.676 (72.8:27.2)
Method of synthesis - several processes can be used, including: transesterification,
direct esterification, and polycondensation
Mass average molecular weight, dalton, g/ 19,000-66,000; 29,800-45,800 (recycled) Romao, W; Freanco, M FF; Bueno,
Mw mol, amu M I M S; De Paoli, M-A, Polym.
Test., 29, 879-85, 2010.
Molar volume at 298K cm3 calc.=146.1; 130 (crystalline); 144.5 (amorphous)
mol-1
Van der Waals volume cm3 calc.=96.36; 94.2 (crystalline); 94.2 (amorphous)
mol-1
Molecular cross-sectional area, cm2 x 14.0
calculated 10-16

STRUCTURE -
Crystallinity % 20-50, 52.5-54.6 (fiber); 85 (oriented film) Romaao, W; Franco, M F; Corilo, Y
E; Ebrlin, M N; Spinace, M A S; De
Paoli, M-A, Polym. Deg. Stab., 94,
1849-59, 2009; Blundell, D J; Ma-
hendrasingam, A; Martin, C; Fuller,
W; MacKerron, D H; Harvie, J L;
Oldman, R J; Riekel, C, Polymer,
41, 7793-7802, 2000.
Cell type (lattice) - triclinic
Cell dimensions nm a:b:c=0.448-0.456:0.58-0.594:1.071-1.086
Unit cell angles degree =98-107:118-119:111-112 Kinoshita, Y; Nakamura, R; Kitano,
Y; Ashida, T, Polym. Prep., 20, 454,
1979.
Number of chains per unit cell - 1

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PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)
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Crystallite size nm 27.8-40.8 (fiber)

Chain conformation - nearly planar
Entanglement molecular weight dalton, g/ 1,936 Barany, T; Czigany, T; Karger-
mol, amu Kotsis, J, Prog. Polym. Sci., 35,
1257-87, 2010.
Crystallization temperature o
C 164 Romaao, W; Franco, M F; Corilo, Y
E; Ebrlin, M N; Spinace, M A S; De
Paoli, M-A, Polym. Deg. Stab., 94,
1849-59, 2009.
Avrami constants, k/n - n=2.4-2.7 Lu, X F; Hay, J N, Polymer, 42,
9423-31, 2001.

COMMERCIAL POLYMERS
Some manufacturers - DuPont; Sabic
Trade names - Rynite; PET

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Density at 20oC g cm-3 1.3-1.4; 1.455 (crystalline); 1.333 (amorphous); 1.47-1.81
(20-55% glass fiber)
Bulk density at 20oC g cm-3 0.795-0.88
Color - white to gray
Refractive index, 20 Co - calc.=1.5392-1.5557; exp=1.5750
Birefringence - 0.0469 (fiber) Romaao, W; Franco, M F; Corilo, Y
E; Ebrlin, M N; Spinace, M A S; De
Paoli, M-A, Polym. Deg. Stab., 94,
1849-59, 2009.
Haze % 0.6
Odor - none
Melting temperature, DSC o
C 245-265; 254 (20-55% glass fiber)
Decomposition temperature o
C 285-329
Storage temperature o
C <50
Thermal expansion coefficient, o
C -1 1.7E-5 (film); 6.55E-4 (melt); 1.1-9.5E-5 (20-55% glass fiber) Mark, H F; Gaylord, N G, Encyclo-
-40 to 160oC pedia of Polymer Science, Vol. 11,
Interscience, New York, 1969.
Thermal conductivity, melt W m-1 calc.=0.1888; exp.=0.147 (melt); 0.29-0.33 (20-55% glass
K-1 fiber)
Glass transition temperature o
C calc.=76-88; exp.=60-85; 60-76 (amorphous)
Specific heat capacity J K-1 kg-1 1,170
Heat of fusion kJ mol -1 24.1
Maximum service temperature o
C -60 to 105
Temperature index (50% tensile o
C 140 (20-55% glass fiber)
strength loss after 20,000 h/5000
h)
Heat deflection temperature at o
C 63.9; 240-248 (20-55% glass fiber)
0.45 MPa
Heat deflection temperature at o
C 61.1; 210-229 (20-55% glass fiber)
1.8 MPa
Vicat temperature VST/B/50 o
C 77
Enthalpy of melting Jg -1 27 Romaao, W; Franco, M F; Corilo, Y
E; Ebrlin, M N; Spinace, M A S; De
Paoli, M-A, Polym. Deg. Stab., 94,
1849-59, 2009.

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PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)
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Hansen solubility parameters, D, MPa0.5 18.7, 6.3, 6.7

P, H
Interaction radius 6.5
Hildebrand solubility parameter MPa0.5 calc.=14.65-17.15; exp.=17.1-20.8
Surface tension mN m -1 calc.=38.7-47.3; exp.=39.5-42.1
Dielectric constant at 100 Hz/1 - 3.0-3.3/3.2-3.3; 3.2-4.0/3.0-3.9 (20-55% glass fiber)
MHz
Dissipation factor at 100 Hz E-4 20-25; 50-100 (20-55% glass fiber)
Dissipation factor at 1 MHz E-4 30; 110-150 (20-55% glass fiber)
Volume resistivity ohm-m 1E13; 1E13 (20-55% glass fiber)
Surface resistivity ohm 1E14 (20-55% glass fiber)
Electric strength K20/P50, kV mm-1 22-26; 24.5-25.5 (20-55% glass fiber)
d=0.60.8 mm
Comparative tracking index, CTI, - 175-400
test liquid A
Arc resistance s 120-360
Power factor - 0.019
Coefficient of friction - 0.45 (film to film); 0.17-0.21 (20-55% glass fiber, self); 0.14
(film to steel); 0.17-0.20 (20-55% glass fiber, steel)
Permeability to oxygen, 25oC m3 m m-2 0.4 Colomiones, G; Ducruet, V;
Courgneau, C; Guinault, A;
s-1 Pa-1 x
Domenek, S, Polym. Int., 59, 818-
1018 26, 2010.

Permeability to water vapor, 25oC cm3 cm 11.3

cm-2 s-1
Pa-1 x
1012
Contact angle of water, 20oC degree 72.0-75.0 Donelli, I; Freddi, G; Niefstrasz, V
A; Taddei, Polym. Deg. Stab., 95,
1542-50, 2010.
Surface free energy mJ m-2 44.0

MECHANICAL & RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Tensile strength MPa 24-41.4; 590 (fiber); 114-189 (20-55% glass fiber)
Tensile modulus MPa 2,300; 7,240-17,900 (20-55% glass fiber)
Tensile stress at yield MPa 36.5-62.7; 327 (fiber)
Elongation % 100-250; 1.6-2.3 (20-55% glass fiber)
Tensile yield strain % 4
Flexural strength MPa 68.9-78; 172-290 (20-55% glass fiber)
Flexural modulus MPa 1,560-2,650; 6,480-17,900 (20-55% glass fiber)
Compressive strength MPa 80; 172-241 (20-55% glass fiber)
Young’s modulus MPa 2,000-2,700
Izod impact strength, notched, J m-1 640
23oC
Izod impact strength, notched, J m-1 190
-30oC
Shear strength MPa 79.0-86.5 (20-55% glass fiber)
Tenacity (fiber) (standard atmo- cN tex -1 25-95 (35-130) Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.
sphere) (daN Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
mm-2) Verlag, 1999.

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PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)
PARAMETER UNIT VALUE REFERENCES

Tenacity (wet fiber, as % of dry % 95-100 Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.

strength) Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
Verlag, 1999.
Fineness of fiber (titer) dtex 0.6-44 Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.
Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
Verlag, 1999.
Length (elemental fiber) mm 38-200, filament Fourne, F, Synthetic Fibers.
Machines and Equipment Manu-
facture, Properties. Carl Hanser
Verlag, 1999.
Abrasion resistance (ASTM mg/1000 30-44
D1044) cycles
Poisson’s ratio - 0.421-0.430; 0.39-0.41 (20-55% glass fiber)
Rockwell hardness - R110; M95-100 (20-55% glass fiber); R120 (20-55% glass
fiber)
Shrinkage % 0.7-1.2; 0.18-0.35 (20-55% glass fiber, flow); 0.7-0.9 (20-55%
glass fiber, transverse)
Intrinsic viscosity, 25oC dl g-1 0.75-0.84
o
Melt index, 230 C/3.8 kg g/10 min 7
o
Water absorption, 24h at 23 C % 0.04-0.14 (24 h); 0.6 (eq)
Moisture absorption, equilibrium % 0.35
23oC/50% RH

CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Acid dilute/concentrated - good/fair
Alcohols - good/fair
Alkalis - poor
Aliphatic hydrocarbons - good
Aromatic hydrocarbons - good
Esters - fair-poor
Greases & oils - good
Halogenated hydrocarbons - poor
Ketones - fair
Good solvent - DMSO (hot), halogenated aliphatic carboxylic acids,
nitrobenzene, phenol
Non-solvent - aliphatic alcohols, carboxylic esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons,
ether, hydrocarbons, ketones

FLAMMABILITY
Ignition temperature o
C 390
Autoignition temperature o
C 508
Limiting oxygen index % O2 20-23; 20 (20-55% glass fiber)
o
Char at 500 C % 5.1 Lyon, R E; Walters, R N, J. Anal.
Appl. Pyrolysis, 71, 27-46, 2004.
Heat of combustion J g-1 24,130 Walters, R N; Hacket, S M; Lyon, R
E, Fire Mater., 24, 5, 245-52, 2000.
Volatile products of combustion - CO, CO2, acrolein, formaldehyde, ethanol, methanol, acetic
acid, acetone
UL rating - HB (20-55% glass fiber); V-0 (20-55% glass fiber and flame
retardant)

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PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)
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WEATHER STABILITY
Spectral sensitivity nm 290-325; 270-325 Yang, J; Xia, Z; Kong, F; Ma, X,
Polym. Deg. Stab., 95, 53-8, 2010.
Activation wavelengths nm 305, 325
Excitation wavelengths nm 280, 320, 344, 357; 300 and 330 Yang, J; Xia, Z; Kong, F; Ma, X,
Polym. Deg. Stab., 95, 53-8, 2010.
Emission wavelengths nm 370, 389, 405, 425, 460; 328 and 387+460 Yang, J; Xia, Z; Kong, F; Ma, X,
Polym. Deg. Stab., 95, 53-8, 2010.
Important initiators and - ferrocene, cobalt octoates and naphthenates, compounds
accelerators containing aromatic keto-ester groups
Products of degradation - radicals, crosslinks, hydroperoxides, hydroxyl and carbonyl
groups, CO, CO2
Stabilizers - UVA: 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone; 2-hydroxy-
4-methoxybenzophenone; 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone;
2,2’,4,4’-tetrahydroxybenzophenone; 2,2’-dihydroxy-
4-methoxybenzophenone; 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-
p-cresol; 2-benzotriazol-2-yl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenol;
2-(2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenol; 2-(2H-
benzotriazole-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetraethylbutyl)phenol;
2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)
phenol; 2,2’-methylenebis(6-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-
4-1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol; 2-(2H-benzotriazol-
2-yl)-6-dodecyl-4-methylphenol, branched & linear;
2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)
phenol; 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazole-
2-yl)-phenol; 2-(3-sec-butyl-5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)
benzotriazole; 2-[4-[(2-hydroxy-3-(2’-ethyl)hexyl)oxy]-2-
hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine;
2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-hexyloxy-phenol;
2-[4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]-5-(octyloxy)
phenol; (2-ethylhexyl)-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate;
1,3-bis-[(2’-cyano-3’,3’-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis-{[(2’-
cyano-3’,3’-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl}-propane; propane-
dioic acid, [(4-methoxyphenyl)-methylene]-dimethyl ester;
2,2’-(1,4-phenylene)bis[4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one]; Screener:
carbon black, zinc oxide; Acid scavenger: hydrotalcite; HAS:
1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine, N,N’’’[1,2-ethane-diyl-bis[[[4,6-
bis[butyl(1,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)amino]-1,3,5-
triazine-2-yl]imino]-3,1-propanediyl]bis[N’,N’’-dibutyl-N’,N’’-
bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)-; decanedioic acid,
bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(octyloxy)-4-piperidinyl)ester, reaction
products with 1,1-dimethylethylhydroperoxide and octane;
bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate + methyl-
1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl sebacate; alkenes, C20-24-.
alpha.-, polymers with maleic anhydride, reaction products
with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinamine; 1, 6-hexanediamine,
N, N’-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-, polymers with
2,4-dichloro-6-(4-morpholinyl)-1,3,5-triazine; 1,6-hexanedi-
amine, N,N’-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-, polymers
with morpholine-2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine reaction products,
methylated; Phenolic antioxidants: ethylene-bis(oxyethylene)-
bis(3-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-m-tolyl)-propionate);
N,N’-hexane-1,6-diylbis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-
phenylpropionamide)); 3,3’,3’,5, 5’,5’-hexa-tert-butyl-a,a’,a’-
(mesitylene-2,4,6-triyl)tri-p-cresol; 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-
4-hydroxybenzyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)- trione;
Phosphite: bis-(2,4-di-t-butylphenol) pentaerythritol
diphosphite; tris (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite; phos-
phoric acid, (2,4-di-butyl-6-methylphenyl)ethylester; distearyl
pentaerythritol diphosphite; Optical brightener: 2,2’-(2,5-thio-
phenediyl)bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole)

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PET poly(ethylene terephthalate)
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BIODEGRADATION
Typical biodegradants - abiotic hydrolysis is the most important reaction for initiating Donelli, I; Freddi, G; Niefstrasz, V
the environmental degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate). A; Taddei, Polym. Deg. Stab., 95,
Also cutinases and carboxylesterases have both shown the 1542-50, 2010.
potential to hydrolyze polyester bonds similarly to lipases
Stabilizers - 2,4,4’-trichloro-2’-hydroxydiphenyl ether, N-hexyl-N’-
(4-vinylbenzyl)-4,4’-bipyridinium bromide chloride

TOXICITY
HMIS: Health, Flammability, Re- - 1/1/0
activity rating
Carcinogenic effect not listed by ACGIH, NIOSH, NTP
Oral rat, LD50 mg kg -1 >10,000

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Cradle to grave non-renewable MJ/kg 69.7-85.5
energy use
Cradle to pellet greenhouse kg CO2 2.5-3.5
gasses kg-1 resin

PROCESSING
Typical processing methods - blow molding, extrusion, injection blow molding, injection mold-
ing, monofilament extrusion
Preprocess drying: temperature/ o
C/h/% 110-175/2-16/0.003-0.02
time/residual moisture
Processing temperature o
C 260-300
Additives used in final products - Fillers: antimony doped tin oxide, aramid, carbon black,
carbon fiber, clays, fly ash, glass fiber, glass spheres, mica,
montmorillonite, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, silica, talc,
titanium dioxide, wollastonite; Antistatics: antimony-doped tin
oxide, carbon nanotubes, polyaniline, polyisonaphthalene;
Antiblocking: calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth, silicone
fluid, spherical silicone resin, synthetic silica; Release: calcium
stearate, fluorine compounds, glycerol bistearate, pentaeryth-
ritol ester, silane modified silica, zinc stearate; Slip: spherical
silica, silicone oil
Applications - automotive, bottles, brush bristles, composites, electrical, fiber,
film, housings, housewares, lighting, medical (orthopaedic
bandages, artificial kindneys, sutrures, artificial tendons, car-
dioviscular implants), motor parts, packaging, plumbing, power
tools, sporting goods, support brackets, textiles
Outstanding properties - high strength, stiffness, excellent, dimensional stability,
outstanding chemical, excellent flow characteristics, and heat
resistance, and good electrical properties

ANALYSIS
FTIR (wavenumber-assignment) cm-1/- detailed assignment for amorphous and crystalline in ref. Donelli, I; Freddi, G; Niefstrasz, V
A; Taddei, Polym. Deg. Stab., 95,
1542-50, 2010.
NMR (chemical shifts) ppm H NMR: terephthalic acid  4.80; ethylene glycol  8.13; Romaao, W; Franco, M F; Corilo, Y
isophthalic acid  8.71, 8.29, 7.60; diethylene glycol  4.64, E; Ebrlin, M N; Spinace, M A S; De
4.13 Paoli, M-A, Polym. Deg. Stab., 94,
1849-59, 2009.
x-ray diffraction peaks degree 21.3 Sun, B; Lu, Y; Ni, H; Wang, C,
Polymer, 39, 1, 159-63, 1998.

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