HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2011 16 History of PTT fibre Poly (trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was first synthesized and patented in 1941, but it was not produced commercially. PTT was commercialised as a molding material in the late 1990s. Asahi Kasei Fibers began development of PTT fibre in 1996, with production and sale beginning in 1999. Teijin Fibers began developing PTT fibre in 2000. The vast majority of polyester textile fibres are PET. Its sister polymer, poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT), has a very limited application to textiles. PTT, made by Shell Chemicals and marketed under the trade name Corterra ® , has many characteristics that lend themselves to a variety of products — durable, stain resistance, superior elastic recovery, good colourfastness, uniform dye uptake, luxurious feel, antistatic properties, stain resistance, and easy care. Description of PTT fibre PTT is produced by the poly-condensation reaction of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and PDO (1, 3 propanediol) and has unique properties as compared to the other aromatic T he modification of polyester is an important item in the research of fibres that have new characteristics and new performances. This fibre is the most spread among the chemical fibres and it has reached the high maturity. PTT belongs to a class of polymers called aromatic polyesters. However, PTT Polymer is a unique product in that it behaves very differently than other polyesters. The fibre is got through poly condensation of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and PDO (1, 3 propanediol), which is chemically obtained by the Shell Group and that is biochemically obtained by DuPont. The unique properties of PTT have been known for many years but the polymer has not been commercially available because of the high cost of production of the PDO raw material. Extensive research effort by Shell Chemicals has resulted in a cost-effective process to manufacture PDO. With this breakthrough in processing technology for PDO, PTT are now commercially available for use in carpet fibre, textile fibre, monofilament, film, non-woven fabric, and engineering thermoplastic applications. PTT is a futuristic synthetic fibre with its unique spring-like molecular structure possessing the favourable properties of both polyester and nylon, while having its own stretchiness. It is also readily compatible with natural and synthetic fibres thanks to its unique soft texture.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 201116
History of PTT fibre
Poly (trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) was first
synthesized and patented in 1941, but it was
not produced commercially. PTT was
commercialised as a molding material in the
late 1990s. Asahi Kasei Fibers began
development of PTT fibre in 1996, with
production and sale beginning in 1999. Teijin
Fibers began developing PTT fibre in 2000.
The vast majority of polyester textile fibres are
PET. Its sister polymer, poly (butylene
terephthalate) (PBT), has a very limited
application to textiles. PTT, made by Shell
Chemicals and marketed under the trade name
Corterra®
, has many characteristics that lend
themselves to a variety of products — durable,
stain resistance, superior elastic recovery, good
colourfastness, uniform dye uptake, luxurious
feel, antistatic properties, stain resistance, and
easy care.
Description of PTT fibre
PTT is produced by the poly-condensation
reaction of PTA (purified terephthalic acid) and
PDO (1, 3 propanediol) and has unique
properties as compared to the other aromatic
The modification of polyester is an important item in the
research of fibres that have new characteristics and new
performances. This fibre is the most spread among the chemical
fibres and it has reached the high maturity. PTT belongs to a
class of polymers called aromatic polyesters. However, PTT
Polymer is a unique product in that it behaves very differently
than other polyesters.
The fibre is got through poly condensation of PTA (purified
terephthalic acid) and PDO (1, 3 propanediol), which is
chemically obtained by the Shell Group and that is
biochemically obtained by DuPont. The unique properties of
PTT have been known for many years but the polymer has not
been commercially available because of the high cost of
production of the PDO raw material. Extensive research effort
by Shell Chemicals has resulted in a cost-effective process to
manufacture PDO. With this breakthrough in processing
technology for PDO, PTT are now commercially available for
use in carpet fibre, textile fibre, monofilament, film, non-woven
fabric, and engineering thermoplastic applications.
PTT is a futuristic synthetic fibre with its unique spring-like
molecular structure possessing the favourable properties of
both polyester and nylon, while having its own stretchiness. It
is also readily compatible with natural and synthetic fibres thanks
to its unique soft texture.
HOME TEXTILE VIEWS / OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2011 17
Comparison of performance of different carpet fibres
polyesters, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PBT
(polybutylene terephthalate).
PTT fibre characteristics
PTT is an advanced polymer that can be spun into fibres. The
fibres and yarns have a unique combination of properties
including stretch and recovery, softness, bulk, and easy dye.
Fabrics produced from PTT fibres and yarns clean easily and
have superior durability.
As regards to other synthetic fibres, PTT ones are softer,
are easier to be dyed, keep vivid colours longer, lose their
shape easier and as easier go back to their original shape.
They also are better dirty-resistant, are easier to be cleaned
and dry quickly.
PTT is resistant to strong oxidizing bleaches, such as sodium
hypochlorite, even in concentrated form (6 per cent). In fact,
it is said to resist bleaching even better than polyester PET.
Colour fastness of PTT is superior to polyester and Type 6
nylon and comparable to Type 6, 6 nylon when subjected to
a wide range of tests including high concentrations of ozone,
nitrogen dioxide, and light and sun fading.
PTT is oleophilic, and performs similarly to polyester PET and
olefin, and it easily removes oily spots and soils (petroleum,
animal, vegetable) using dry solvent spotters and cleaning
additives (e.g., propylene glycol). PTT’s hand, while a
somewhat subjective evaluation, is achieved by the polymer
itself, and is noticeably softer than polyester, and comparable
to nylon fibre.
Comparison with different fibre
PTT fibre combines the best properties of nylon and polyester.
Whether used in carpet, garments, home furnishings or
automotive fabrics, PTT fibres look better longer. Compared
with other synthetic fibres like nylon and acrylic, PTT fibres